Less than a month ago, the Brewers were mostly left for dead, barely above .500. Just over two weeks ago, the Crew lost their best player and reigning National League MVP Christian Yelich, seemingly a crushing blow to the team's postseason push.
And yet, here the Brewers are, spraying champagne in Cincinnati after defeating the Reds, 9-2, and clinching a playoff spot for the second straight year – the sixth trip in the franchise's history and the first time the team's accomplished back-to-back postseason visits since 1981-82.
The Brewers didn't bother making the clinching game dramatic, coming out in the first inning with six runs against the Reds – four coming off another clutch late-season grand slam from Ryan Braun. The Crew then added to the lead, and good pitching kept Cincinnati well at bay so the Brewers had smooth sailing to a champagne and beer shower in the visitor's locker room.
"They’re going to the postseason!" #MKEHistory pic.twitter.com/Hnz0vkw7jx — Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) September 26, 2019
The move you’ve all been waiting for is back! #MKEHistory pic.twitter.com/k3iMpK0SBO — Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) September 26, 2019
THE MVP IS HERE! #ThisIsMyCrew
Yelich: "We never really cared what our odds were." pic.twitter.com/msoj6tBV4O — FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) September 26, 2019
Unfortunately, the Brewers can't celebrate too hard tonight as they've still got work to do in the final four games; Milwaukee is just a game behind the Washington Nationals for the top Wild Card spot and the right to host the one-game playoff at Miller Park, as well as just a game and a half behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL Central crown.
Those goals are for tomorrow, however; tonight is for champagne. Not too much bubbly, though; first pitch at Thursday's game goes at 11:35 a.m.
As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.
When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.