Major League Baseball enters its final two months, with teams working to build momentum for the postseason.
The Milwaukee Brewers hold the second spot in the latest power rankings at 74-45. The team has made the playoffs in seven of the preceding eight seasons and won the National League Central title three consecutive years.
Despite that regular season success, the Brewers have struggled in October. Their recent playoff exits include losing the NLCS to the Dodgers 4-3 in 2018, falling in the wild-card round to the Nationals 1-0 in 2019 and dropping a wild-card series to the Dodgers 2-0 in 2020.
The Brewers then lost the NLDS to the Braves 3-1 in 2021, missed the playoffs in 2022 and lost wild-card series to the Diamondbacks 2-0 in 2023 and the Mets 2-1 in 2024. Most recently, they were swept 4-0 by the Dodgers in the 2025 NLCS.
That history sets a clear expectation. Regular season success is no longer enough — the Brewers carry the burden of a fanbase that wants an October run, not just a division title.
The Los Angeles Dodgers hold the top spot at 71-48. The team recently ended a seven-game losing streak, then dropped their series against the Diamondbacks on Sunday.
Deep organizational resources help the Dodgers absorb roster challenges, including issues behind the plate. Their primary focus for the final stretch is a functional bullpen — a requirement for any team eyeing a deep playoff run.
Individual performances are contributing to the late-season picture as well. Paul Skenes' average fastball velocity began rising again in August.
