In the past six seasons, the Brewers have now won the division three times.

The Milwaukee Brewers have won the NL Central for the third time in six years and for the second time in three years. The Brewers mathematically won the division after the Cubs’ loss to the Braves on Tuesday. On Friday, Milwaukee had already secured a spot in the postseason. They have now won their division. In the franchise’s history, this division title joins the others from 1981, 1982, 2011, 2018, and 2021.

The Brewers are guaranteed the third seed since the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers have already secured byes in the Wild Card Series. Beginning on Tuesday, October 3, they will host the third wild-card team in the Wild Card Series. It’s possible that the third wild-card place won’t be settled until the final regular-season game.

The NL Central race was fiercely competitive for the first four months of the season, with the Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, and even the Pittsburgh Pirates switching places as the first-place team. The Brewers have the best record in baseball with a 23-10 record since August 17, when they officially took over first place. They will now wait to find out who they will face in the Wild Card Series.

Even as injuries and poor pitching performance took a toll on the pitching staff, run prevention has remained a Brewers constant this season. They allow the second fewest runs in baseball, 4.01, per game on average. The offence has fluctuated and currently ranks 16th with 4.55 runs scored per game, but it has recently improved in part because of Mark Canha, who was added on deadline.

This could be the last opportunity for this team as we know it to win the World Series together since the Brewers are about to face a period of turmoil. Think about everything the Brewers can expect in the future.

Stearns is already on his way out

David Stearns, who oversaw Milwaukee’s baseball operations from September 2015 through 2022 before transitioning to a consulting position in 2023, has agreed to join the New York Mets as their president of baseball operations, though the team has not yet made that announcement. The Manhattan native will stay with the Brewers until the end of the month, when his contract ends, and then return to New York.

Although there is a change in leadership in the front office, the Brewers are in good hands with GM Matt Arnold, who joined the team not long after Stearns and was one of his top lieutenants. Without a doubt, Stearns’ influence can be seen throughout the roster, but he will go in less than two weeks, and after that, Arnold’s team will take on its entire identity.

Counsell is in the final year of his contract

Unbelievably, Craig Counsell has never been named National League Manager of the Year. He has finished second three times (in 2018, 2019, and 2021), so I’m not convinced the circumstances are right for him to win this year. The manager of whoever team earns the final wild-card slot will surely have a tonne of support because the Braves have been absolutely fantastic. What is, is what is.

Counsell is currently in the final year of his contract, and despite the Brewers’ desire for him to return, he is not yet prepared to sign a new agreement. He has made suggestions that he would like to spend more time with his family, therefore it is inevitable that he will join Stearns with the Mets. The following is what Arnold and Counsell recently said to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Arnold stated, “I believe Craig has earned the right to have debates anywhere he chooses. “I hope that’s with us right now. We’ve talked a lot, but I also respect the hell out of whatever he ultimately decides to do because he has a young family. He might want to hang out with them. He might wish to continue working here or look elsewhere.

Counsell stated, “I’m OK with the situation as it stands. “We’ll wait and see what happens next. And I have discussed this with (business owner Mark Attanasio). I’ve worked with Mark for a very long time. I really appreciate that relationship, you know.”

One of the best managers in the sport, Counsell leads his club in both games managed (1,325) and victories (703). It will be challenging to replace Counsell if he goes after the season for any reason since he is one of the few coaches who actually lifts his team. It will leave a big gap in the club’s hierarchical structure.

Core players are nearing free agency

The Brewers have significantly lower payrolls than the league average while playing in MLB’s smallest media market. If the team doesn’t drastically increase its salary, the Brewers will soon look very different. Several key players are about to become free agents:

  • After 2024: Willy Adames, Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff
  • After 2025: Devin Williams

Although the Brewers have been proactive in the past and moved away core players before losing them to free agency, Milwaukee could try to run it back with this bunch next season. Josh Hader is the ideal illustration. This offseason, a deal for Adames or Burnes would not be unexpected. The team that has assisted the Brewers in five postseason appearances over the past six years is beginning to see its best days.

When the time comes, the Brewers will handle these players’ free agency. The postseason and capturing the franchise’s first championship are currently the main priorities. But time is running out. Stearns is about to leave the team, Counsell’s future is uncertain, and a number of significant players are getting close to becoming free agents. This could be their final opportunity to triumph as a team.