The 11 ‘What If’ Plays That Won The Brewers Their First-Ever World Series

We remember Jackson Chourio’s shutout of Mason Miller, back-to-back homers by Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell off Blake Snell, the multiple four-run deficits overcome and the eight-run, two-run blast at Tropicana Field, but what about the little plays that led to those Brewers’ victories?

The Milwaukee Brewers didn’t just cruise their way through their dominant postseason run, but the hustle and constant pressure caused them to win many of the plays that could have gone either way in either series.

Beyond the notable home runs, big hits and scoring moments, don’t forget these plays — one in each of the Brewers’ 11 victories — that helped them win their first World Series title.

1. Roof ball

NLDS Game 1 (3-2 W vs. Padres)

The first sign that this October would belong to the Brewers came immediately. Ask manager Pat Murphy and there may have been some divine intervention.

When their ace Jacob Misiorowski lasted just four innings, they again pulled out a 3-2 victory against the Padres, thanks in part to their home stadium. They took a one-run lead with one out in the ninth when San Diego first baseman Ty France launched a fastball deep into left field.

It looked like it might have had a chance to get out, but it hit a roof cable at American Family Field. It wasn’t a common occurrence, but Chourio alertly got under the ball — by rule, it’s a live ball if it stays in play — and made the catch to help secure the win. If that ball goes out, maybe the series unfolds differently.

2. 7th swing of the inning

NLDS Game 2 (4-3 W vs. Padres)

Unforced errors tend to come back to bite Brewers opponents.

In the seventh inning, Franca hit a two-out single to right field to score Fernando Tatis Jr. and to create a 3-1 lead, but Manny Machado was thrown out trying to go from first to third by Sal Frelick to end the game. That would make a difference, given the ensuing defensive blunder.

In the bottom of the frame, there were two outs and men on the corners when Jake Cronenworth hit a soft grounder by David Hamilton and then threw the ball away, cutting the Padres’ deficit to one run.

Two innings later, Chourio walked Miller.

3. Catching

NLDS Game 4 (3-1 W vs. Padres)

After winning Game 3 at home, handing the Brewers their only postseason loss until Game 4 of the World Series, there were 47,712 raucous fans at Petco Park who watched Machado connect on a 406-foot fly ball in the eighth inning of Game 4 and thought the Padres had tied the game.

The way the ball sounded coming off Machado’s bat at 106.7 mph to right-center — and the way the Padres third baseman admired the hit, clearly thinking he had it, too — made it look like the series might swing into a two-run blowout. But Mitchell battled a group of Padres fans in the front row to come up with the ball, snuffing out San Diego’s last-ditch effort to keep the streak alive.

As it turned out, it was as close as either team would get to derailing the champions.

4. Triple-Double

NLCS Game 1 (2-1 W vs. Dodgers)

The age of the Dodgers’ lineup — the oldest in MLB — was a popular talking point during the NLCS, and it mattered right away.

The Dodgers broke into three double plays in Game 1. The most notable example came with the bases loaded in the second inning and the Brewers’ ace on the mound. Misiorowski was already bouncing on 46 pitches when Kiké Hernández hit a fly ball to right off Cooper Pratt.

The rookie shortstop fielded it, turned his body and jumped to second quickly in one motion. Brice Turang then completed the double play, keeping Misiorowski’s pitch count to a more manageable level and ensuring the Dodgers’ lead would stay there.

5. There is no challenge

NLCS Game 2 (7-4 W vs. Dodgers)

It will be remembered as the game with Bauers’ 12-pitch walk and Christian Yelich’s walk-off single that knocked out October All-Star Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the shortest playoff outing of the 2025 World Series MVP’s career. However, there were smaller parts of that outing and game that also led to the result.

One of the biggest problems for the Dodgers that night: Not every catcher is as good at ABS challenges as William Contreras. In the first inning, Will Smith didn’t challenge what would have been the third strike on Turang, who then doubled and came around to score the tying run.

Two innings later, in the inning in which Yamamoto was ejected from the game, the Brewers had one on and one out when a full-count cutter to Turang caught the outside edge of the plate. It was called a ball. The Brewers’ patience at the plate paid off in this one. But if Smith had properly challenged early, it’s possible Bauers’ memorable walk, and all that followed, might never have happened.

6. Winning the chess match

NLCS Game 3 (6-2 W vs. LAD):

It was the NLCS MVP-sealing performance for Bauers, who followed his 12-pitch walk against Yamamoto in Game 2 with an 11-pitch homer against Blake Snell in Game 3. It was also one of the greatest examples of the panic and urgency that the Brewers’ incredible bullpen can produce.

Abner Uribe finally showed a momentary weakness, unable to find the zone with a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning. After striking out the first two batters, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to pinch-hit Andy Pages — who, up to that point, had the team’s only two hits with runners in scoring position during the postseason — for Max Muncy, who struck out.

After an RBI double by Smith gave the Dodgers the lead, Roberts tried to go for the kill. He batted Josue De Paula in place of Miguel Rojas. Murphy countered with DL Hall to the left. Roberts then made another change, leaving De Paula out for the right-handed Hernandez. It didn’t work. Hernandez struck out, and the Dodgers nearly emptied their bench. That would matter later in the game when the Brewers made their comeback of the night.

7. Action Jackson

NLCS Game 4 (6-4 W vs. Dodgers)

Shohei Ohtani had finally given the Dodgers the swing they had been waiting for with a three-run home run in the second inning to put them up 4-0. Then the brewers did their thing, repeatedly chipping away at their deficit until it disappeared.

It looked like Ohtani might get another chance to be a hero. He was in the on-deck circle in the ninth inning with the Brewers leading by two runs when Hernández scorched a 107.9 mph drive off the bat — his most hit ball of the season — toward the left-center gap. But Chourio tracked it down, making sure Ohtani didn’t get another chance and the Brewers went to the World Series for the first time since 1982.

8. Taking a break

WS Game 1 (3-2 W vs. Rays)

The Rays stole more bases than any team in the American League this year, a big part of what made them such a stressful offense to deal with. Sometimes, however, the best move is the one you don’t make.

The Rays were pulling away with a run in the fifth when Yandy Díaz, who had the highest batting average with runners in scoring position this season, walked Victor Mesa Jr. at second base. Mesa, however, decided to stand up for the third.

In a big play for Contreras, the Brewers catcher made Mesa pay for that pick by catching him stealing to end the game. In a one-run loss, that play loomed large.

9. Sending thoughts

WS Game 2 (5-4 W vs. Rays)

The Brewers’ constant pressure can cause opponents to make unwise choices. Sometimes, it can lead to defensive errors. Other times, it can lead to careless decisions.

The Rays’ four-run lead was cut to one with two outs in the sixth inning when Mesa singled to the left side of the infield. Catcher Liam Hicks, who isn’t particularly fleet-footed, hadn’t even reached third base by the time Chourio threw the ball into left field. But Rays third base coach Brady Williams homered Hicks anyway. The game at the plate was not close.

The fact that light hitter Taylor Walls was on deck likely played into the decision, but this is also an example of the difference in depth between the two World Series lineups.

10. The captain’s slip

WS Game 3 (10-1 W vs. Rays)

This game will go down in the record books.

The Brewers became the first team ever to score eight two-out runs in a single inning of a World Series game. They also became the only team with seven straight two-outs in a postseason game. But none of this would be possible without the hustle of their captain, Christian Yelich.

The Brewers led 2-0 with runners on first and second when Contreras singled to Rays third baseman Junior Caminero. Instead of crossing the diamond as the grounder pulled him toward shortstop, Caminero tried to get Yelich at second base. He beat the ball. Six batters later, their lead grew to 10-0.

The rest was, quite literally, history.

11. Bauer’s ball

WS Game 5 (4-1 W vs. Rays)

The thing about these Brewers is even when they don’t contribute on one side of the ball, they can still find a way to impact the game.

Bauers went just 2-for-21 in the World Series, but without his defense at first base in Game 5, it’s possible things could have turned out differently. With the Rays trailing by a run, Rays outfielder Ryan Vilade ripped a 100.6 mph fastball off the bat that could have gone for extra bases had Bauers not laid down on a diving stop.

Bauers then picked himself up and pitched to the bag to strike out Vilade and start the third inning with one out. An inning later, Bauers came up with an even bigger play, saving third baseman David Hamilton from disaster by securing Hamilton’s high throw across the diamond with two runners in scoring position.

Had the ball gone over Bauers’ head, the Rays could have taken the lead. Instead, Tampa Bay never had a chance to get into Game 5, and the Brewers celebrated their first World Series victory.