This story was excerpted from Adam McCalvy’s Brewers Beat publication. To learn the total publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it commonly in your inbox.
MILWAUKEE — The Brewers will clinch the Nationwide League Central any day now — together with as quickly as Tuesday night time with a win over Philly mixed with a Cubs loss to Oakland — however that doesn’t imply they will coast by means of the remainder of the common season.
There’s a race afoot for one thing past successful the division crown for the second straight season, the third time in 4 seasons and the fourth time in seven seasons. It’s the race for one of many NL’s high two seeds, which comes with a bye by means of the best-of-three Wild Card Collection and into the marginally much less unstable best-of-five NL Division Collection.
This week’s collection in opposition to the Phillies gives the Brewers an opportunity to influence these general standings. With a dozen video games to go, the Phillies lead the league at 90-60, adopted by the Dodgers at 89-61 and the Brewers at 87-63.
Within the occasion of a tie, you’ll must brush up on MLB’s tiebreaker guidelines, which begin with head-to-head information. The Brewers already misplaced their season collection in opposition to the Dodgers, dropping 4 of seven, however they nonetheless have an opportunity to separate with the Phillies if they will sweep the present three-game set. In that case, the subsequent tiebreaker could be the groups’ information inside their division; the Brewers are presently 30-19 in opposition to the NL Central, the Phillies are 27-18 in opposition to the NL East.
Sure, the Wild Card has produced some latest pennant winners, together with final 12 months’s D-backs. However any staff would like to keep away from the uncertainty of a best-of-three collection, to not point out get the 4 days of relaxation between the tip of the common season and the beginning of the NLDS.
“You simply must play it out,” stated Brewers supervisor Pat Murphy on Monday afternoon, nonetheless replaying in his thoughts the robust bullpen choices he confronted in Sunday’s series-ending loss at Arizona. “It’s a part of why I didn’t get as a lot relaxation as I ought to have. You wrestle with wanting to maintain your group as crisp as you possibly can. On the identical time, you need to place your self to realize as a lot as you possibly can.”
He knew what query was coming subsequent. What positions a staff higher: having to play straight by means of, like a Wild Card entrant is pressured to do, or take the bye and a few well-timed relaxation?
“Is it higher to have 4 days off? I can’t take into consideration that,” Murphy stated. “No matter is dealt to us, you cope with it.”
“With a younger membership, it’s very harmful [to think ahead],” Murphy stated. “We’ve acquired nice alternatives this week.”
Whereas the gamers attempt to keep away from trying forward, the entrance workplace has to, since American Household Discipline might be internet hosting postseason baseball as quickly as Oct. 1.
Tickets for the primary collection — no matter spherical that seems to be — will go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. CT at Brewers.com/Postseason. In the event you don’t need to wait till 10 a.m., the membership is staging a Drive-Via Postseason Prep Rally from 6-9 a.m. CT that day at American Household Discipline, the place followers will get a free Brewers automobile flag together with early entry to buy postseason tickets and an opportunity to fulfill Murphy, together with Corridor of Famer Robin Yount, Packers Corridor of Famer Donald Driver, Bucks All-Star Sidney Moncrief and different Wisconsin sports activities greats.
Automobile flags and free bratwursts (sure, brats for breakfast) can be obtainable to the primary 5,000 followers in line.
