The Brewers have rocked and rolled their way to victory in the first two games of their season-ending homestand, a circumstance that has stoked the hopes of the local faithful.
The mountain remains huge.
With five games to play, the Cubs lead the Brewers by two games in the National League Central standings. The statistical savants at baseballprospectus.com have a nifty computer program that simulates playing the rest of the season 1 million times. The Brewers won the division about 14 percent of the time.
Can there be a "Milwaukee Miracle?"
Brewers manager Ned Yost likes to say "We only worry about what we can control." All the Brewers can control is their performance, but they are going to need some help from the Marlins and Reds (who play the Cubs) in order to qualify for their first post-season since 1982 or force a one-game playoff Monday at Wrigley Field.
Here is a look at the different scenarios that can play out over the final five games.
IF THE CUBS GO 5-0 OR 4-1... They will win the NL Central title outright.
IF THE BREWERS GO 5-0... They will win the NL Central title outright if the Cubs go 2-3, 1-4 or 0-5. To tie and force a playoff in this instance, the Cubs must go 3-2.
IF THE BREWERS GO 4-1... They will win the NL Central title outright if the Cubs go 1-4 or 0-5. To tie and force a playoff game, the Cubs must go 2-3.
IF THE BREWERS GO 3-2... they will win the NL Central title if the Cubs go 0-5. To tie and force a playoff game, the Cubs must go 1-4.
IF THE BREWERS GO 2-3... they cannot win the NL Central title outright. The Cubs must go 0-5 to tie and force a playoff game.
IF THE BREWERS GO 1-4.... They are eliminated.
IF THE BREWERS GO 0-5.... They are eliminated and will finish with a non-winning record, which is what they've done every season since 1992.
There you have it. Enjoy the final week.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.