For the fifth time in the last six years, the Milwaukee Brewers are heading to the postseason. While they clinched their ticket to the postseason in a 16-1 victory over the Miami Marlins last Friday, thanks to a Chicago Cubs 7-6 loss against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, the Brewers claimed their fourth NL Central division champions title.
It’s important the Milwaukee Brewers go all the way.
While the Brewers have come used to celebrating punching a ticket into some October baseball, the postseason run hasn’t been long-lived the last couple of years. The crew came one-game shy of the World Series in 2018, but since then, they’ve been a first or second round exit.
Milwaukee has never won a World Series title, and the last time they went to the big championship was back in 1982 when they were in the American League and were able to win the American League pennant. However, they would lose to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Since then, it’s been chasing for that same goal but coming up short every time.
“We’ve been so many times,” said Brandon Woodruff, a player who has been part of all five postseason berths. “I feel like it’s our time to get over the hump.”
Woodruff, along with Christian Yelich, Freddy Peralta, and Corbin Burnes are the guys that have been to all five recent postseason trips and have yet to get a World Series appearance. All three pitchers were just rookies in 2018, getting their career going, but as we near the end of their team control, it’s quite literally now or never for these guys to go all the way.
Both Woodruff and Burnes could become free-agents for the 2024 season if they don’t sign extensions or get traded before that. Willy Adames is also set to be a free agent after this season, World Series or not. If they didn’t pay Josh Hader the money he deserved, what is it going to take to keep Burnes, Woodruff, and Adames in Milwaukee? Adames was part of the team when they won the NL Central in 2021, and they made their exit after four games in the NLDS against the Braves, and has made a World Series appearance with the Tampa Bay Rays, but the Brewers have yet to do that.
It’s hard to imagine a roster where these three or even just one of those three aren’t mentioned, and trying to find a replacement for any of the three will be challenging. If they make it to the World Series, something tells me that those guys will want to stick around for a little while longer.
Craig Counsell could leave Milwaukee without a ring.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell is the National League’s longest-tenured manager with a contract set to expire by the end of season. There have been many rumors flying around that he could possibly go join David Stearns in New York with the Mets, and Counsell himself hasn’t given any indication as to whether or not he plans to return next season.
This is the third NL Central title under Counsell’s managerial period with the Brewers, and his team has had sole possession of the NL Central since August. This is Counsell’s eighth full season as a manager, taking over after Ron Roenicke was fired in May 2015.
It’s hard to picture the Brewers not being led by Counsell; He’s the best manager in the league, and as much as some of you will argue and say no, there really isn’t any argument to be had, it’ll be hard to replace a manager like him.
“The postseason does not go by script,” said Counsell. “Crazy things are going to happen, and we’re going to have to adjust. We’re going to have adversity. We’re going to be down, and we’re going to have to change directions a little bit. But I think we have the personnel to do something special, and that makes it really exciting going into it.”
Do it for Bob Uecker.
As the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers for over 50 years now, Bob Uecker has yet to receive a World Series ring with the crew. He was there in 1982 when that team made it all the way, and he even has his own championship title with the Milwaukee Braves in 1957. Since then? Uecker, just like the rest of us, has hoped and dreamed of the World Series making it’s way back to Milwaukee.
Uecker is 89-years-old and probably is looking towards the retirement route soon. Craig Counsell went on Wisconsin’s Morning News and talked about how the iconic broadcaster has been on his mind as they look to make a historic postseason run.
“We’ve all had that thought on our mind about Bob calling World Series games,” Counsell said. “Whenever we think about a loss or think about where we’re going, thinking about what we could do for Ueck here is always one of the first things that come to your mind.”
Hopeful for the Future
Every time the crew makes it to the postseason, there’s always that hope and dream that they make it all the way. This year just feels different. Pitching staff is unbelievable, offense has been lighting up, and so many different players have been making an impact in their own way to bring Milwaukee to the top.
“We got in. We’ve got a chance,” said Christian Yelich. “We’ll see what happens. I think we could definitely be a dangerous team. Whether we’re the favorites or not, it doesn’t really matter at this point.”
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