The Milwaukee Brewers have advanced to the World Series for the first time since 1982, ending a 44-year postseason drought and reigniting pride in a franchise long overshadowed by that historic team. On Thursday night at Dodger Stadium, the Brewers completed a four-game sweep of the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), overcoming deficits in every contest to secure their spot in the championship round.
The 1982 Brewers remain a touchstone for the Milwaukee community—a team featuring Hall of Famers like Robin Yount and Paul Molitor and admired for their grit and personality. That squad lost a seven-game series to the St. Louis Cardinals but secured a place in local lore. However, the decades since saw Milwaukee struggle, including 25 consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance and frequent finishes near the bottom of their division.
This year’s Brewers, led by manager Pat Murphy, have rewritten that narrative with a younger core and a mix of emerging talent and steady veterans. Christian Yelich, who has been a franchise mainstay, emphasized the team’s confidence, rejecting ideas that their run is a surprising or lucky occurrence. “We believe in ourselves,” he said, noting the team’s consistent playoff contention during his nine seasons in Milwaukee.
Key contributors in the NLCS included first baseman Jake Bauers, the series’ most valuable player, who drove in six runs with a patient and dynamic approach at the plate. The Brewers’ bullpen, pivotal throughout the postseason, maintained a 1.33 earned run average over more than 40 innings, showcasing depth with pitchers mostly new to the majors since 2020. Pitching coach Chris Hook described the bullpen as a close-knit group providing support and stability for younger players.
The Brewers’ resilience was on full display in Game 4 when they overcame a four-run deficit midway through the contest. Starter Jacob Misiorowski lasted only one inning, but Milwaukee chipped away with a mix of walks, doubles, stolen bases, and timely home runs, including long balls from Garrett Mitchell and David Hamilton, turning the game around for a 6-4 victory. Despite striking out frequently and committing errors during the series, the Brewers capitalized on key moments while holding Dodgers hitters to a .148 average with runners in scoring position.
The Dodgers, despite their championship pedigree and financial resources, struggled to contain Milwaukee’s pitching and approach at the plate. The victory was especially meaningful given that the Dodgers had swept the Brewers in last year’s NLCS at the same venue, an experience that served as motivation for Milwaukee’s current roster.
Milwaukee fans rallied at a watch party held simultaneously with the game, filling the ballpark with noise and enthusiasm despite the contest being on the road. The Brewers now await either the Cleveland Guardians or Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, setting up a matchup notable for the comparatively low payrolls of both teams amid looming discussions on implementing a salary cap to support smaller market competitiveness.
Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold highlighted the team’s unity and work ethic, calling the current group “really special” and emphasizing their focus on continual improvement rather than external validation. As the franchise prepares to host the opening game of the World Series on Friday, Milwaukee stands poised to capture its first championship, closing a long chapter and starting anew with a promising group of players and supporters.