For those fearing record-low ratings for the World Series, the matchup between the Brewers and Rays is exceeding expectations.

For those fearing record-low ratings for the World Series, the matchup between theMilwaukee BrewersandTampa Bay Raysis exceeding expectations. The audiences for the first two games on Fox Sports were down only 6% compared to Games 1 and 2 from last year's Fall Classic between theLos Angeles DodgersandToronto Blue Jays. "I think they've probably surpassed everybody's expectations. I think very few people, including me, would've guessed that we'd be down 6% through two games. We're really satisfied," said Mike Mulvihill, Fox Sports president for insight and analytics. Milwaukee's 3-2 win in Game 1 last Friday averaged 12.26 million viewers on Fox, Fox Deportes, Fox One streaming, the Fox Sports app and Univision. The Brewers' 5-4 victory in Game 2, which did not include Univision coverage, averaged 10.85 million. Both games were the most-watched broadcast of the night. With two small-market teams vying for the championship, there were many predictions the early ratings could rival the 2023 World Series between theTexas RangersandArizona Diamondbacks, which was the least-watched on record with a 9.11 million average. Game 2 of that series set the record low at 8.15 million. The difference this year, though, is that Milwaukee has a steady base of fans in the Midwest and has been a consistent contender the past couple of seasons. This is also a matchup of the two teams with the best records in baseball this season. "I do think there's something helpful about having a traditional team from the Midwest in the series. And the fact that they were able to take down the two-time defending champs (the Dodgers) and do it in really convincing fashion, I think that helps build some interest for the World Series," Mulvihill said. The Fox-only average for the first two games this year is 11.05 million. Fox could be holding its breath for the ratings from Monday's Game 3. Not only was it a 10-1 blowout win for Milwaukee, it faced stiff competition with theDallas Cowboysplaying thePhiladelphia Eagleson "Monday Night Football."