Brewers clinch NL Central Division title with Cubs' loss to A's
It's not exactly how the Milwaukee Brewers would have drawn it up, but they'll certainly take it regardless.
Thanks to the Oakland A's downing the Chicago Cubs 5-3 at Wrigley Field on Wednesday afternoon, the Brewers clinched their second consecutive National League Central Division title and fourth in the last seven seasons (also 2018 and 2021).
The team gathered in the home clubhouse at American Family Field and watched together as the Cubs game unfolded.
It marked the second consecutive season Milwaukee learned in unconventional fashion it had become division champ; last year the Brewers had just lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, but a late-inning Cubs collapse against the Braves in Atlanta sealed the deal and allowed the team to celebrate anyway.
“Regardless of getting in via another team's loss or getting in via our win, it's still an incredible accomplishment that we’ll celebrate and we earned, regardless of how it happens,” Brewers first baseman-designated hitter Rhys Hoskins following Tuesday night's loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.
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The champagne bottles and beer cans won't be popped until later Wednesday night, considering the Brewers (87-64) do have an important game yet to play against the Phillies (91-60).
Both teams are still jockeying for postseason position, with Milwaukee currently the third seed and Philadelphia first. The Brewers' goal is to earn one of the top two spots – the Los Angeles Dodgers (89-62) are No. 2 – and thus receive a bye into the NL Division Series.
The Phillies also are in position for a celebration, as a win over the Brewers combined with a Braves loss to the Cincinnati Reds would clinch the NL East for them.
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, compiling a 7-2 record, 2.76 ERA and WHIP of 1.12 in 13 career starts.
Milwaukee has earned its 10th postseason appearance in franchise history and sixth in the last seven years.