What can you say, it’s been 25 years since the Brewers saw October as a competitive team and now, they’re back but how good will they be?
The Brewers will travel to Citizens Bank Park to take on the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, October 1^st. The Phillies have dominated the Brewers this year going 5-1 against the Crew and outscoring Milwaukee 33-16. Recently (September 12^th thru the 14) the Brewers were swept by Philadelphia in a 4-game series. While CC Sabathia will throw on Thursday in the NLDS, that may sound like good news for Brewers fans, it’ll be his 4 start on short rest. The last pitcher to do that was Danny Graves for the Cincinnati Reds in 2003. CC’s been stellar in his 3 previous starts with an era of .083. The bad news, when it comes to the rest of the starting pitching, there hasn’t been a whole lot to cheer about in the month of September. Since Aug. 31, the Brewers are 5-2 when Sabathia starts -- and 6-14 when anybody else starts. Jeff Suppan, before his start last Friday (September 26^th) was 0-3 with a 10+ era in the month of September and Manny Parra had lost his starting job all together. These are two guys whom the Brewers were counting on to add solidification to their rotation down the stretch. Let us not forget about Ben Sheets, the #2 in the one-two punch of the Brewers starting rotation has been rendered useless as yet another injury has taken away his ability to take the hill. Last but not least, Brewers closer, Salomon Torres in the month of September hasn’t been nearly as effective with an era of 8.53, a record of 1-2, 2 save vs. 1 blown save, 3 home runs, 7 walks and 7 stikeouts.
Here’s some more facts; With Sunday’s win, the Brewers became the 15th team in the wild-card era to be forced to go down to the final day of the season to clinch a playoff spot. Pending the outcome of tomorrow’s (Monday, September 29^th) make up game between the White Sox and Tigers, either the Twins or White Sox will become the 16th. The 14 previous teams that qualified on the final day have played a combined 24 postseason series -- and went 11-13 in those series. Seven of those teams have lost in the first round. Four went on to lose in the LCS. Two lost in the World Series (2007 Rockies and 2005 Astros). And only one of them won the World Series -- the 2006 Cardinals.

On the other hand, it’s the post-season and Cinderella only dances at the ball.

Some statistics provided by the Elias Sports Bureau.