Milwaukee Brewers Clinch NL Central Amid Postseason Run \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Milwaukee Brewers secured their third NL Central title in four years, clinching a playoff spot after the Chicago Cubs’ loss on Wednesday. Despite losing key players like Corbin Burnes and facing several injuries, the Brewers defied expectations and dominated the division. Led by manager Pat Murphy, they are now looking to make a deep postseason run and pursue their first World Series title.
Milwaukee Brewers Defy the Odds to Clinch NL Central: Quick Looks
- Division win: Brewers win their third NL Central title in four years after the Cubs’ loss to the Athletics.
- Overcoming challenges: Despite injuries to key players like Christian Yelich and Brandon Woodruff, the Brewers finished the regular season strong.
- Manager Pat Murphy: Stepping in after Craig Counsell left for the Cubs, Murphy guided the team with an “all-hands-on-deck” mentality.
- Playoff focus: The Brewers are aiming to break their postseason struggles and chase their first-ever World Series title.
Deep Look
The Milwaukee Brewers aren’t the same team many had expected to see when they entered the season. Having become a fixture in the postseason over recent years, they faced long odds heading into 2024 after significant personnel changes and injury setbacks. Yet, on Wednesday, the Brewers clinched their third NL Central title in the last four years, marking their sixth postseason appearance in seven seasons — an impressive feat for a team that once only made the playoffs twice in 35 years.
Brewers Clinch NL Central
The Brewers were able to secure the NL Central crown thanks to a 5-3 loss by the Chicago Cubs to the Oakland Athletics. This development allowed Milwaukee to wrap up the division before their own game against the Philadelphia Phillies even began. As news of the Cubs’ defeat spread, Brewers players poured out of the clubhouse with one out remaining in Chicago’s game, celebrating their latest division title.
This marked the Brewers’ first consecutive division win since the team claimed back-to-back titles in 1981 and 1982, further solidifying their status as one of MLB’s most consistent postseason teams in recent years.
A Season Full of Challenges
The Brewers entered the 2024 season facing an uphill battle. Craig Counsell, the team’s all-time winningest manager, had left for the Cubs, and 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. Injuries also plagued Milwaukee. Brandon Woodruff missed the entire season recovering from shoulder surgery, and key relievers like Devin Williams and outfielder Christian Yelich were sidelined for extended periods.
Yelich, who was hitting a league-best .315 with an on-base percentage of .406, had his season cut short due to back issues in July. Additionally, pitchers Wade Miley and Robert Gasser suffered season-ending injuries, which left many wondering how the team would manage to stay competitive.
Still, the Brewers didn’t miss a beat. They took over first place in the NL Central in April and never relinquished the top spot, defying those who believed Milwaukee was due for a step backward. “Even when we’ve been good these last few years, no one ever picks us to be good just because we’re the Brewers,” Yelich had stated during spring training, a sentiment that proved prophetic.
Pat Murphy’s Leadership
In the midst of these changes, Pat Murphy, Counsell’s former bench coach, took over managerial duties, guiding the team through what many considered a transitional season. Murphy, stepping into his first full-time managerial role just two weeks shy of his 65th birthday, proved that he was up for the challenge.
Rather than following Counsell to the Cubs, Murphy opted to stay in Milwaukee and fostered a culture of resiliency. Under his leadership, the Brewers never lost more than three games in a row — a feat no other team in MLB matched this season. “I heard about what people were saying — that this is a rebuild,” Murphy remarked. “A lot of people laughed at us.” But the Brewers refused to believe that narrative.
Murphy’s “all-hands-on-deck” approach worked wonders. Milwaukee’s pitching staff became one of the most reliable in the league, with 17 different pitchers starting games over the course of the season. The team’s bullpen depth was also crucial, with 12 pitchers earning saves — just two shy of the MLB record set by the 2021 Tampa Bay Rays.
Despite key injuries, Milwaukee entered Wednesday with a 3.65 ERA, ranking fourth among all major league teams, a testament to the strength of their pitching corps.
Offensive Breakthrough
In recent seasons, the Brewers have been a team heavily reliant on their pitching, often faltering in the postseason due to lack of offense. But this year, their lineup has become more potent, complementing their strong arms with improved production at the plate.
The Brewers finished fourth in total runs scored and showed a notable improvement in their OPS compared to last year, thanks in part to breakout performances from players like William Contreras and Willy Adames. Contreras emerged as one of the league’s best hitting catchers, while Adames made history as the first Brewers shortstop to notch a 30-homer, 100-RBI season — a feat even Robin Yount, the Hall of Famer, never achieved.
The young phenom Jackson Chourio also made waves, becoming the youngest player in MLB history to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season. At just 20 years old, Chourio has injected youthful energy into the lineup and is seen as a key player for the team’s future.
Looking Ahead to October
Now that the Brewers have clinched the NL Central, their focus shifts toward doing something the franchise has never done: winning the World Series. They’ve been here before, but success in October has been elusive, with the team losing nine of its last 10 playoff games.
But this year’s Brewers are determined to prove doubters wrong, just as they’ve done all season. “The thought is not about clinching,” pitcher Frankie Montas said. “It’s about going all the way and trying to win a World Series.”
With a strong combination of pitching, timely hitting, and Murphy’s leadership, Milwaukee believes this could be the year they finally bring a World Series title to Wisconsin.
