Part of me didn’t want to write this. Some days I feel so superstitious it’s like I’m seven years old again and depending on where I step on a piece of pavement, I could somehow injure my mother across town. Other days it’s not as severe and I’m more Michael Scott. Living through all the highs and lows that come with a sports fan’s life, there’s always a little part of me that questions the role of cosmic karma and how I can affect the outcome of my rooting interest. Logically, we have zero influence, but we also wouldn’t bring up a perfect game as it’s happening. This is all an awkward predicament as someone who writes about these things, though, so I do think it’s time; we need to discuss what’s happening with your 2025 Milwaukee Brewers.
With eight games remaining on their schedule, the Brewers have a six game lead in the division over the Cubs, and a three game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in all of baseball. Milwaukee has ended the regular season with that distinction only one other time – and yes, as you could’ve guessed if you didn’t know already, it was 1982, the only year the franchise has ever reached the World Series (and painfully were on their way to winning through 5 and a half innings in Game 7).
Some of Milwaukee’s current MLB ranks are:
BATTING CATEGORY | MLB RANK
Runs – 2nd
Hits – 3rd
Home Runs – 19th
Stolen Bases – 2nd
Batting Ave. – 2nd
On-Base Percentage – 2nd
Sac Flys – 8th
Strikeouts – 5th (fewest)
PITCHING CATEGORY | MLB RANK
ERA – 2nd
Strikeouts – 5th
WHIP – 6th
Home Runs Given Up – 6th (fewest)
FIELDING CATEGORY | MLB RANK
Fielding Percentage – 10th
Errors – 9th (fewest)
This is as well balanced of a team as you could hope for. I like to highlight their homerun ranking as “only” being 19th, because when combined with their other hitting stats, a picture is painted of a team that keeps the line moving and doesn’t live and breathe hoping someone can put one over the fence. This group is built to put up a fight each time out in the fall when the temperatures start to drop and each game means that much more than the last. Combined with great pitching and solid, fundamental defense, this is the type of team that wins big games, full stop.
I grew up a New York Yankees fan (I know, I know – in my defense I grew up in New Jersey and my mother was born and raised in the Bronx). In 1996 I watched a team of 25 individuals, buoyed by a new manager and playing in memory of a fallen & beloved play-by-play announcer, break through for their first title in almost 20 years. Their team ranks then are arguably pretty similar to Milwaukee’s this year.
I’m not saying a championship is guaranteed; once you’re in the playoffs, all bets are off. What I am saying is that for me, watching the Brewers this season has had a very familiar “I think I’ve seen this movie before” feeling. Here’s hoping I’m right. Do it for Ueck.
