Brewers clinch 4th NL Central title in row with win, Cubs loss - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — The best pitcher in baseball on the team with the best record in baseball isn't sure how exactly the Milwaukee Brewers keep doing this.

Asked how a team that works on the fringe of baseball's middle class has turned champagne celebrations into a September ritual, Jacob Misiorowski shrugged.

«I couldn't tell you,» the 24-year-old ace said. «You know, I've been trying to figure it out all year.»

The search will continue into October.

The Brewers (94-57) won their fourth straight NL Central title Tuesday night, when they rode their flame-throwing star and a couple of timely hits from role players Luis Lara and Joey Ortiz for a 5-1 victory over Pittsburgh.

When Atlanta rallied past the Chicago Cubs about 30 minutes later, there was a roar that seeped through the cinderblock walls outside the visitors clubhouse at PNC Park. Bottles were popped. Cigars were lit. Beers — Miller Lites, of course — were chugged.

This part of the journey never gets old, not even for Christian Yelich, who has been a fixture during Milwaukee's run of eight playoff appearances in nine years.

«We're a good team,» the three-time All-Star and 2018 NL MVP said. «This is what we set out to do every season at the beginning of spring training. We just keep playing our game.»

Before this streak, the Brewers won four division titles total in the franchise's first 54 years of existence. They are the first team to win four straight NL Central titles since the division was created in 1994.

Milwaukee doesn't overwhelm opponents with power or gaudy stats — outside of Misiorowski's stream of 100-plus mph fastballs — but instead relies on singles, smart baseball and a selfless approach.

The Brewers gave Pittsburgh a glimpse in the second inning. Jake