How will the Brewers line up their starting pitchers in the postseason?
Reporter Todd Rosiak discusses Milwaukee’s starting lineup and who is likely to get the ball in the playoffs…maybe including a bullpen game?
This isn’t quite what the Milwaukee Brewers had in mind, but they’ll definitely take it anyway.
Thanks to the Oakland A’s 5-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field, the Brewers secured their second consecutive National League Central Division title and fourth in the last seven seasons (including 2018 and 2021).
The team gathered in the clubhouse of the home stadium at American Family Field and watched the Cubs game together.
It was the second straight season that Milwaukee learned it had become division champions in an unconventional way; last year the Brewers had narrowly lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, but a late-game collapse by the Cubs against the Braves in Atlanta sealed the decision and allowed the team to celebrate anyway.
“Whether we advanced by losing another team or by winning, it’s still an incredible accomplishment that we’re going to celebrate and that we deserve, no matter how it happens,” Brewers first baseman and designated hitter Rhys Hoskins said after Tuesday night’s loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.
More: Have the Brewers secured a playoff spot at the earliest in franchise history?
The champagne bottles and beer cans won’t be popping until late Wednesday night, considering that the Brewers (87-64) still have an important game against the Phillies (91-60) ahead of them.
Both teams are still fighting for a spot in the postseason. Milwaukee is currently third and Philadelphia is first. The Brewers’ goal is to get one of the top two spots – the Los Angeles Dodgers (89-62) are number 2 – and thus receive a bye to the NL Division Series.
The Phillies also have reason to celebrate, as a win over the Brewers combined with a Braves loss to the Cincinnati Reds would secure them the NL East.
Freddy Peralta (11-8, 3.75) starts for Milwaukee on Wednesday night, while Aaron Nola (12-8, 3.62) counters for Philadelphia.
Nola has been tough on the Brewers over the years, posting a 7-2 record, a 2.76 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP in 13 career starts.
Milwaukee has made its tenth postseason appearance in franchise history and sixth in the last seven years.
