COLUMN: Hopefully, comeback win kicks Brewers into gear

Nothing overly important happened in the NFL last week except the Bears QB throwing for 161 more yards than the Packers QB. Look, I’m not a “stats guy” but those numbers are pretty eye-popping. If I were a Packer fan, I might be a little worried about the QB balance shifting down to the ol’ Bears.

But I want to talk about something more pressing than the Bears QB and his elite arm talent–the Brewers. Having clinched the Central already (sorry Cubs and Cardinals fans…maybe next year) and too far behind the Phillies and Dodgers to get a bye, the Brewers are in an odd state of limbo.

They really have nothing to truly play for until the playoffs, but after some lackluster playoff performances over their past four appearances, they need something to kick them into gear. Enter Sunday’s comeback against the Diamondbacks.

After another seemingly lifeless start to a game (turns out Montas was tipping his pitches), the Brewers chipped, chipped, chipped away. They scored a couple here, an almost catch that turned into a double there, the bullpen shutting down Arizona, and suddenly the game was within reach.

In the eighth, they once again turned on the two-out magic and scored four runs to get the lead. Devin Williams slammed the door in the ninth and suddenly, the Brewers had life again.

I can’t promise they will carry that momentum into the playoffs, but it sure felt like they needed that win to remind them that games still matter. The Diamondbacks are a possible first round opponent (but hopefully not), so the playoff atmosphere was very real inside AmFam stadium.

The likelihood of the Brewers winning a World Series, especially after losing Yelich, is probably slim. However, there isn’t a team in the NL I view as unbeatable. The Phillies have the best rotation and their offense with Harper, Schwarber, and Trea Turner is pretty stacked. But their bullpen has been shaky all year, and we all know how leaky bullpens in October can turn into full on floods.

The Dodgers are the Dodgers and have Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Will Smith–their lineup is incredibly challenging to navigate. But their rotation is shambles. They may try to do what I think the Brewers want to do, which is play five inning games. Get the lead and turn it over to the bullpen, but it might be hard to get the lead if your starter is giving up four or five runs.

I’m assuming the Wild Card teams are the Padres, Diamondbacks, and Mets. The Padres have been on an absolute heater, going 74-48 since May 1. That’s…really good. I don’t love their rotation (but I do love their bullpen) and their offense is very solid top to bottom. However, the Padres will likely play the Diamondbacks and then one of those teams will play either the Dodgers or Phillies, so the only way the Brewers see them is in the NLCS.

Milwaukee just played the Diamondbacks, whose offense has been scorching, so if possible, I’d prefer a Mets series. Lindor is hurt and their pitching is a big question mark. However, losing to David Stearns after he spurred us for another franchise would hurt (but beating him would feel real good). Even so, this feels like our best possible matchup.

The Brewers are in as good a spot as they’ve ever been to be successful this postseason. Their offense can score, finally, and their bullpen is still elite. Their starters are the biggest question mark, but if they can play the five inning game and get into the bullpen with a lead, I feel good about their chances. I mean, at least get out of the Wild Card round. Please.

I guess there is some more football this week before the MLB playoffs start. Hopefully Love is back for the Packers so they can improve those abysmal passing yard stats this week against the Vikings, who, by the way, are apparently really good? Brian Flores is some kind of defensive wizard. I’m curious to see how Love does against their defense after missing some games and perhaps having some mobility issues. Again, it would be an absolute shame if he got hurt again. Nobody wants that. Especially me.

The Bears are 3 point favorites against the Rams. I’ll just chalk up another 300-yard passing game to our phenom QB. Nice to have that in the bag each and every week now. Hope Packer fans get to feel that joy some time soon.

Picks: Cowboys, Saints, Bears, Packers, Steelers, Jets, Eagles, Bengals, Texans, Cardinals, 49ers, Raiders, Chiefs, Bills, Titans, Lions.