Milwaukee’s offense leans on plate discipline and speed rather than power, driving the league’s best record and a top ERA this season. The club scored 806 runs, the franchise’s best since 1999, while hitting just 166 homers. They excel at drawing walks, turning the basepaths into a weapon with 164 steals, and they stress swinging at strikes and playing small-ball to manufacture runs. In Game 1 of the NLDS, the Brewers bring a multi-faceted approach that looks to travel well in October against Chicago.

Key pieces include Frelick, Turang and Vaughn, who have raised their OPS this year, and Durbin and Collins among the rookies who helped fuel the surge. The staff and hitters pitch around power, pin down the strike zone, and rely on on-base ability to set up runs, a strategy that’s carried them from May slumps to a championship-aspirant finish. Despite playoff pasts heavy with ousters, Milwaukee believes its identity is postseason-ready.

Milwaukee clinches the NL Central as Yelich and a battered-but-brave roster push through a season of injuries and roster churn. The Brewers, carrying the best record in baseball, embrace the underdog label and lean on culture, depth, and timely performances to set up a postseason run. With Woodruff’s health uncertain and Williams departed, Milwaukee’s versatility and proven central-title track record become its playoff weapon.

The summer surge—anchored by a 29-4 burst—combined with Frelick’s growing impact and a veteran-core mindset, keeps the Brewers dangerous in a short series. Old wounds about the playoffs persist, but the club’s leadership, ownership, and Uecker-era magic vibe give the clubhouse a championship rhythm going into October.

Devin Williams’ NYY tenure took another hit in Houston as he walked the bases and allowed the go-ahead run in the eighth, triggering an ejection after a dispute with the ump. Camilo Doval inherited the jam and surrendered a run, and New York fell 8-7. Williams sits 3-6 with a 5.60 ERA through 53 innings, highlighting bullpen instability and late-inning risk for fantasy managers.

Juggling a tight role with mixed results, Williams’ leash shortens for saves or high-leverage innings. The Yankees’ relievers lingered as questions swirl about matchups and strike-zone leverage, impacting fantasy projections for NYY’s late-inning corps the rest of September.