PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Since the 2026 playoffs began, we've been using words like "relentless" and "inevitable" when it comes to the Milwaukee Brewers. As they finished their coronation in Game 5 with a 4-1 victory over the Rays to take the series and win their first title in franchise history, it's pretty clear that the Brewers were the team of destiny from early in the season. Game 5 on Wednesday never really felt like the Rays' night.
Their pitching situation was dire after needing to use Nick Martinez in Game 4. The offense was dealing with Jacob Misiorowski and a full Brewers bullpen of studs. Junior Caminero was compromised and Yandy Díaz would join him.
It just never felt like it was going to be their night and it wasn't, because of course it wasn't. It was the Brewers' night. It took some longer than others to see it, myself admittedly included.
They struggled in two different spans in April, with a six-game losing streak and later a four-game losing streak. That was about it, though. After a loss on May 4 dropped them to 18-16, the Brewers went absolutely bonkers the rest of the season: 85-43.
And now they've completed an 11-2 playoff run against stacked competition. That means they finished 96-45. It's a misnomer to act like this is some ragtag bunch; a motley crew, island of the misfit toys collection of big-league players.
They have a former MVP in Christian Yelich and, though he's past his prime, he was a quality contributor in the playoffs. Jacob Misiorowski is going to win the National League Cy Young. Jackson Chourio is an emerging superstar.
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