World Series

Tampa Bay lost to a better team. And once the sting of the World Series defeat lessens, the Rays will be able to appreciate their journey from nearly being homeless to playing for a championship.

While most locals would rather the home team would have lifted the Commissioner's Trophy, the windfall from thousands of visiting Milwaukee fans more than made up for the Rays losing the Series.

The Rays' remarkable season ends with a 4-1 loss in Game 5. In a matchup of similar styles, Milwaukee's pitching overwhelmed Tampa Bay's bats throughout the Series. William Contreras was the MVP.

Milwaukee took the lead in the top of the 12th on a home run by Cooper Pratt, but Tampa Bay rallied to win it on a bases-loaded RBI single by Ben Williamson. Game 5 is at the Trop on Wednesday.

The matchup is exceeding expectations for viewership. Milwaukee's Game 1 win averaged 12.26 million viewers, while Game 2 had 10.85 million. Both games were the most-watched broadcasts of their nights.

Central Avenue was buzzing before the first Rays home game in the Fall Classic. And it wasn't just Rays fans. Several Brewers backers said it was cheaper to fly and stay here than buy tickets back home.

After two one-run losses in Milwaukee, Tampa Bay finds itself down 3-0 with the possiblity of two more games at home. Thousands of Brewers fans were attendance at Tropicana Field to watch the rout.

For decades, cities and counties have been able to enact laws to manage their communities as they see fit. Recently, however, the Legislature has passed rules to usurp some local decisions.

Rays fans spread out on blankets in the outfield at Tropicana Field on Friday and Saturday to watch the video board as the team played the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Mayors Ken Welch and Cavalier Johnson are turning a friendly rivalry into an opportunity to support their communities.

Tampa Bay opened a 4-0 lead in the first inning but couldn't hold it as Milwaukee took advantage of Rays' defensive miscues and battered their pitchers in a 5-4 victory. Game 3 is Monday at Tropicana Field.

As the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers slug it out, cultural institutions in their respective markets are laying their Monet on the table.