The Milwaukee Brewers have locked down the top overall seed in the National League, ensuring that if they advance through the postseason, October will run through American Family Field. Even with a 7-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, the Brewers still clinched thanks to the Phillies’ defeat and their edge in season-series tiebreakers.
“They [Reds fans] started booing this team and stuff like that, and I started laughing like, ‘It’s unfortunate they don’t realize.’ And then they put up on the board in the 6th inning that we’re the No. 1 seed in baseball with the best record,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.
This accomplishment is monumental for the franchise. Not only will the Brewers (96-65) enjoy home-field advantage in the Division Series and League Championship Series, but if they reach the World Series, they will also host the opener.
It’s the kind of position contenders covet, because it maximizes leverage: your ace sets the tone at home, your bullpen rests without cross-country travel, and your hitters get to lean on familiar dimensions. For Milwaukee, it is the payoff for months of consistency.
How They Got Here
The Brewers didn’t simply stumble into this top seed; they earned it with long stretches of dominance throughout the 2025 campaign. At midseason, they reeled off a franchise-record 14-game winning streak that separated them from the rest of the division. That run provided the cushion they would rely on during the final weeks, when injuries and slumps began to catch up.
Even during September, when the team showed signs of fatigue, the Brewers kept grinding out enough wins to keep their lead intact. Their rotation carried heavy loads, their bullpen held firm in crucial innings, and the lineup produced timely hits.
By the time the Phillies slipped against Minnesota, the math fell Milwaukee’s way. The result was a clinch that may not have come in dazzling fashion, but one that captured the team’s steady excellence.
“We don’t have the experience that would say we’re going to win, or maybe even the talent that says we’re going to win,” Murphy said. “We just have a team, and that team ended up with the best record in baseball. … Hopefully, we keep going.”
The Road Ahead
The Brewers have achieved step one, but the true tests begin in October. The National League is filled with dangerous opponents, from powerhouses in the East to surprise Wild Card threats. Having home field is important, but it doesn’t guarantee success. To make good on this position, Milwaukee’s starting rotation must dominate early, and the bullpen has to continue its lockdown form in high-leverage innings.
Equally, the offense will need to carry its share. This roster has relied heavily on pitching and defense, but playoff series often hinge on clutch hits with runners in scoring position. If the Brewers’ lineup can stay opportunistic and avoid prolonged droughts, their pitching advantage could carry them all the way.
“Don’t criticize our guys. I’m very confident in this team,” Murphy said. “We won 96 games for a reason. But it’s tricky to navigate. And now we get a week off after tomorrow.”