On the eve of the World Series , there is a realization these may be Major League Baseball’s last games for a while. Owners are pushing for a salary cap , and that could prompt a lockout starting Dec. 2 and result in canceled games in 2027. “It would be a real bummer to lose a season, that’s for sure,” Tampa Bay ace Drew Rasmussen said Thursday ahead of the World Series opener against Milwaukee. ” This year’s World Series is the first since 1991 between teams both in the bottom half of payrolls: Milwaukee ranked 19th as of Aug. 31 and Tampa Bay 25th. MLB says a cap is needed to help all teams compete more consistently, but players contend because of the method owners use to define expenses, a cap would lead to management taking a greater share of the sport’s revenue. “The system that’s being proposed, which is similar to other leagues in terms of revenue-sharing system, not only will help us compete, but more importantly all of the teams with lower payrolls, too, which is something also I think the fans want,” Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said. 3 million using figures for luxury tax payrolls, and limit a player to 15% of a team’s payroll. Free agents would be capped at $265 million over six seasons — far under Juan Soto’s record $765 million, 15-year deal with the New York Mets. The players’ association vows never to accept a cap. “If they’re going to sit there and wave their little magic wand at us saying they’re going to get a salary cap, it’s not going to happen,” Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill said.