Brewers secure NL Central Division title with Cubs defeat of A's

This story has been updated to add new information.

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, third in the last four seasons and fourth in the last seven (also in 2018 and 2021).

“Here we are – we have a game tonight,” said Rhys Hoskins, referring to the series finale between the Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field, a game that will play a role in both teams' postseason placement.

“Obviously we have 10 more after that. We still have some things we want to work on so we're ready when October comes. But we can see that great banner (NL Central Division Champions) and there are guys out there flying the flag right now.

“We have guys who want to win and here we are.”

It was quite a strange process to watch.

The Cubs led 3-1 until the seventh inning, when the A's caught up and tied it, then scored two more runs in the eighth to take the lead. Oakland closer Mason Miller then had to pitch the minimum in the ninth inning, and Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a double play to end the game.

Of course, the game was broadcast on all the televisions in the Brewers' locker room, and most of the team and support staff watched the game with bated breath until the ninth inning, when all the players stood up and retreated to an area that was not accessible to the media.

As soon as the last out was recorded, a loud roar went up and not long after, the players made their way back to the locker room. They were the first team to secure a playoff spot, but had to prepare for their sixth and final game of the regular season against the top-ranked Phillies (91-60).

“I think it's just about being together, right?” Hoskins said minutes later. “We've obviously been together since mid-February, some of the guys a little earlier. So just enjoying this moment with the guys – and only the guys – is something we've talked about before.”

“Special moments, aren't they? These are the things that will be remembered after this year and the next.”

Murphy spent the final minutes of the game in his office.

“I was with Ueck,” said Murphy, referring of course to Mr. Baseball Bob Uecker. “We did our show and I got to watch it with him.”

“What’s better than this? Fantastic.”

In his first year as captain of the Brewers, Murphy has set the tone as an affable but uncompromising guy who supports his players as much as he pushes them. Barring an unexpected turn of events down the road, it's a no-brainer that Murphy will be the clear choice for NL Manager of the Year.

“Feels different,” Murphy said when asked how it felt to win a title as a manager rather than as a reserve coach, the role he has held for the past eight seasons under Craig Counsell.

“I'll tell you what, I feel very bad for our team, the baseball team. I'm incredibly grateful because I haven't been very good to them and I make no secret of it. But they've been great to me and they make me look good.”

The Brewers have taken a page from the 65-year-old Murphy, winning despite trading star player Corbin Burnes two weeks before spring training began and a myriad of injuries. Injuries include veteran starter Wade Miley (Tommy John surgery), closer Devin Williams (stress fractures) that sidelined him during the All-Star break, and left fielder Christian Yelich (season-ending back surgery) in the midst of a resurgent season.

And then, of course, there was the revamped rotation, which featured no household names other than Freddy Peralta and yet still pitched well above expectations (17 different pitchers started each game), a bullpen that excelled despite Williams' absence (12 different pitchers with at least one save), and a larger-than-usual group of young, inexperienced players who, after being thrust into prominent roles, performed reliably.

Veterans Willy Adames and William Contreras have had dominant seasons, leading a surprisingly potent offense that has performed far better than previous seasons with the same big names, thanks in large part to Murphy's aggressive style of play that emphasizes bunting and base stealing. And then, of course, there's the tremendous development of rising superstar Jackson Chourio.

“I think this should be celebrated,” Murphy said. “I think this is great for this 2024 team. They should never forget what they accomplished. Nothing was given to them. They earned everything themselves and I couldn't be happier.”

“But I mean it when I say, 'That was to be expected. We've been good for a while.' This was a brand new team. What they did, the guys in that room, you have to commend them for their fighting spirit.

“This team just kept going. Relentlessly, fearlessly. Maybe not me. But it was them.”

It's the second straight season that Milwaukee has learned it's division champions in an unconventional way; last year the Brewers 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.

The champagne bottles won't be opened and the beer cans broken until late Wednesday evening; plastic sheets have been rolled up over all the lockers and electronic equipment in the clubhouse for several days, and other festive items such as lighting systems are ready to be rolled in.

More:Have the Brewers secured a playoff spot at the earliest in franchise history?

But if we could win against the Phillies, it would be even better.

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, 2.76 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 13 career starts against them.

Milwaukee is currently ranked third and has its sights set on getting enough wins down the stretch to at least move into second place – a spot currently held by the Los Angeles Dodgers (89-62). The top two seeds each receive a bye to the NL Division Series, with third place hosting the third and final wild card in a three-game series.

Before then, the Brewers have some work to do: Next they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in a four-game series, then three in Pittsburgh and then three at home against the up-and-coming New York Mets, who may then stay in Milwaukee for the wild-card series.

“This is exactly what you want to be a part of as a competitor,” Hoskins said. “It didn't necessarily look like some of us might have thought it would, but the cool thing is we still found ways to get the job done.”

“I was on a team (the Phillies) in 1922 that had much higher expectations, faltered, and came in at the last minute (seeded No. 6 and then went to the World Series). To be on a team with much lower expectations (and succeed) is always a little more satisfying, in my opinion.

“But doubting ourselves a little more than we think is appropriate, a little more spice is not a bad thing either.”

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.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, has secured a postseason berth for the tenth time in franchise history and the sixth time in the last seven years. At 151 games, it is the earliest the team has ever achieved such success.

Brewers secure NL Central Division title with Cubs defeat of A's

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