Brewers Clinch 4th Straight NL Central Title — SkimNews
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- Milwaukee Brewers (94-57) clinched their fourth consecutive NL Central title with a 5-1 win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday, becoming the first team to win four straight NL Central crowns since the division was created in 1994.
- Jacob Misiorowski tossed five scoreless innings and dropped his ERA to an MLB-best 1.85, while role players Luis Lara and Joey Ortiz delivered the timely hits; Misiorowski is the NL Cy Young favorite.
- The clinching was sealed about 30 minutes after the final out when Atlanta rallied past the Chicago Cubs, prompting chants of 'Miller Lites' and cigar celebrations that bled through PNC Park's cinderblock walls.
- Milwaukee's roughly $140 million payroll ranks 19th in MLB — every other National League team in playoff position (Dodgers, Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Diego, Cubs) sits inside the top 10.
- Despite eight playoff appearances in nine years, the Brewers haven't reached the World Series since 1982; their next stated goal is holding off the Dodgers for the No. 1 NL seed and home-field advantage.
- Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly, whose Pirates are approaching an 11-year playoff drought, credited Milwaukee's consistency: 'Money doesn't always buy wins or championships.'
Why it matters: Milwaukee locks up another October despite a payroll (~$140M, 19th in MLB) that ranks well below every other NL contender, all inside the top 10. For Chicago, the simultaneous loss to Atlanta hands a division rival the title on a night the Cubs needed to win, knocking them out of the NL Central race and into a tighter Wild Card fight.
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