Milwaukee Brewers clinch playoff spot for seventh time in eight seasons

In the United States, the Milwaukee Brewers have made history by becoming the first team in Major League Baseball to secure a postseason berth this season. This achievement was sealed following the New York Mets' narrow 3-2 defeat to the Texas Rangers, ensuring at least a National League wild card for the Brewers prior to their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on the evening of September 15, 2025. With this qualification, the Brewers have now reached the playoffs seven times in the past eight seasons. Despite this success, they have faced challenges in postseason play, as the team has not clinched a series win since their appearance in the 2018 National League Championship Series, where they narrowly lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Additionally, the Brewers suffered early exits from the playoffs in successive years from 2019 to 2021, further fueling the narrative of an enduring playoff struggle. As recently as May 24, 2025, the Brewers appeared poised for a setback, struggling with a record of 25-28 and trailing the Chicago Cubs by 6.5 games. However, the team's fortunes drastically shifted as they strung together an impressive record of 65-30 thereafter, showcasing their resurgence in the season. This remarkable turnaround has seen the Brewers reclaim their position at the top of Major League Baseball standings, even entering their latest game with a two-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in pursuit of the best overall record. Furthermore, the Brewers currently boast impressive metrics, ranking second in both runs scored and earned run average (ERA) across the league. A pivotal factor in their success has been the exceptional performance of their pitching staff, considered one of the strongest in the league. Freddy Peralta leads the charge, boasting a remarkable 16-5 record with a 2.69 ERA throughout 30 starts. Another standout is Quinn Priester, who has turned around his career after trades from the Boston Red Sox and has emerged with an outstanding 13-2 record. This impressive performance includes a franchise-record 12 consecutive victories. The bullpen, anchored by All-Star closer Trevor Megill and setup man Abner Uribe, further consolidates their position as strong contenders in the postseason. Looking ahead, the Brewers aim to enhance their playoff narrative this year. With key players performing at high levels and lessons learned from past playoff failures, the organization is entering the postseason with confidence and depth in their starting pitching. The team continues to focus on the present season, with aspirations of reaching the coveted 100-win mark for the first time in franchise history, indicating their growing ambitions as they look to solidify themselves among the elite teams in Major League Baseball.