Brewers Celebrate Divisional Title: Favorites or Cinderella in MLB Playoffs?

Milwaukee Brewers Celebrate Divisional Title with a Taste of Prosecco and Beer

Amidst the celebration, with prosecco and beer flowing, Christian Yelich, visibly satisfied, enjoyed the moment after the Milwaukee Brewers’ third consecutive divisional title in the National League Central.

“This is the why,” Yelich declared, referring to the team’s dedication. “This is why we focus on the details, for the hard work during the season and why we keep fighting to improve. It’s all for these moments, to celebrate with your teammates.”

Christian Yelich

The Brewers, with the best record in baseball, secured their fourth divisional title in five seasons. Despite this, they feel like underdogs as the playoffs approach.

“In baseball, any team can beat anyone, especially in short series. Obviously, we won’t be the favorites. Everyone will point out our question marks and say that other teams have more experienced players and more talented rosters on paper,” Yelich commented. “But I think that gives our team freedom. Nobody expects us to achieve this. So let’s go out and play.”

Christian Yelich

The team suffered the loss of Willy Adames in free agency and traded closer Devin Williams in the offseason. In addition, it was unclear what contributions veterans Brandon Woodruff (shoulder surgery) and Yelich (back) could make. Both managed to be key players, although Woodruff’s status for the postseason is uncertain after being placed on the injured list on Sunday due to what the team described as a moderate lat strain.

“Are we the most talented? No. Will we face much more talented teams with four times the budget? Sure, but that doesn’t bother this team,” said manager Pat Murphy.

Pat Murphy

Since 2018, the Brewers have lost four times in the wild card round, once in the divisional series, and once in the National League Championship Series. The franchise’s only championship was in 1982.

“I heard someone say we have the regular season figured out, now we have to figure out the playoffs. That’s one of the most absurd comments I’ve heard,” Murphy said, emphasizing his team’s work.

Pat Murphy

After losing 5-1 against San Luis, the Brewers waited less than half an hour until the Cubs’ game ended. The team put on blue “division champions” t-shirts, sprayed bottles of cold prosecco, and poured cans of beer on their heads. A blue flag with the signature of the late commentator Bob Uecker hung in the visitors’ locker room, soaked. The owner Mark Attanasio suggested there was some “Brewers magic or Uecker magic” in this team.

“It’s really the culture. We show up every spring training with the goal of winning the division,” said Sal Frelick, in his third year with Milwaukee. “So it’s been great. I’m lucky to be able to do it every year.”

Sal Frelick

The Brewers gathered on the field at Busch Stadium for a team photo and were about to disperse when Murphy climbed the stairs from the dugout, almost missing the moment.

“When we started the year, nobody thought we would be here at this point. Obviously, we’ve had our share of injuries. Nobody could have imagined that we would be in this place right now,” Woodruff said.

Brandon Woodruff

The Brewers were at their best during a 29-4 run in July and August, turning a four-game deficit into a dominant nine-game lead in the division.

“We’ve done a great job as a group to get to this point,” Woodruff said. “And you know what? There’s still a lot of baseball left for the Brewers.”

Brandon Woodruff

Pat Murphy

“It takes a lot of things to go right, and sometimes having great talent helps with that,” Murphy said. “I don’t worry about this team, and I don’t worry about what anyone says about this team. I get to live it every day and see how special they are.”

Pat Murphy

“It takes a lot of things to go right, and sometimes having great talent helps with that,” Murphy said. “I don’t worry about this team, and I don’t worry about what anyone says about this team. I get to live it every day and see how special they are.”

Pat Murphy

Last year, they won the Central by 10 games before losing the wild card series to the Mets, losing the decisive Game 3 after Williams blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning. Pete Alonso’s three-run homer was key. For Murphy, who took over as Milwaukee’s coach before this past season, that’s the fickle nature of the playoffs.

“It takes a lot of things to go right, and sometimes having great talent helps with that,” Murphy said. “I don’t worry about this team, and I don’t worry about what anyone says about this team. I get to live it every day and see how special they are.”

Pat Murphy

“It takes a lot of things to go right, and sometimes having great talent helps with that,” Murphy said. “I don’t worry about this team, and I don’t worry about what anyone says about this team. I get to live it every day and see how special they are.”

Pat MurphyLast year, they won the Central by 10 games before losing the wild card series to the Mets, losing the decisive Game 3 after Williams blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning. Pete Alonso’s three-run homer was key. For Murphy, who took over as Milwaukee’s coach before this past season, that’s the fickle nature of the playoffs.

“It takes a lot of things to go right, and sometimes having great talent helps with that,” Murphy said. “I don’t worry about this team, and I don’t worry about what anyone says about this team. I get to live it every day and see how special they are.”

Pat Murphy

“It takes a lot of things to go right, and sometimes having great talent helps with that,” Murphy said. “I don’t worry about this team, and I don’t worry about what anyone says about this team. I get to live it every day and see how special they are.”

Pat Murphy

Last year, they won the Central by 10 games before losing the wild card series to the Mets, losing the decisive Game 3 after Williams blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning. Pete Alonso’s three-run homer was key. For Murphy, who took over as Milwaukee’s coach before this past season, that’s the fickle nature of the playoffs.

“It takes a lot of things to go right, and sometimes having great talent helps with that,” Murphy said. “I don’t worry about this team, and I don’t worry about what anyone says about this team. I get to live it every day and see how special they are.”

Pat Murphy

“It takes a lot of things to go right, and sometimes having great talent helps with that,” Murphy said. “I don’t worry about this team, and I don’t worry about what anyone says about this team. I get to live it every day and see how special they are.”

Pat Murphy

“It takes a lot of things to go right, and sometimes having great talent helps with that,” Murphy said. “I don’t worry about this team, and I don’t worry about what anyone says about this team. I get to live it every day and see how special they are.”

Pat Murphy

Last year, they won the Central by 10 games before losing the wild card series to the Mets, losing the decisive Game 3 after Williams blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning. Pete Alonso’s three-run homer was key. For Murphy, who took over as Milwaukee’s coach before this past season, that’s the fickle nature of the playoffs.

“It takes a lot of things to go right, and sometimes having great talent helps with that,” Murphy said. “I don’t worry about this team, and I don’t worry about what anyone says about this team. I get to live it every day and see how special they are.”

Pat Murphy