Milwaukee Brewers: Pennant race opponents schedule breakdown

With two weeks left in the season, the Milwaukee Brewers are chasing the Rockies and Cubs for a spot in the postseason.  However, they may need a little help from losing teams on the schedule to get there.

Despite a 4-2 homestand that included three relocated games where the Milwaukee Brewers were the ‘road’ team, they fell four games back of the Cubs in the NL Central. Meanwhile, the Crew is two and a half games behind Colorado for the second wild card spot. The Cubs and Rockies schedule in the last two weeks will have an impact on if the Brewers can remain in contention.

Here’s a closer look at each team’s remaining schedule:

Colorado Rockies (82-68, 2.5 game lead 2nd Wild Card)

At Giants (58-93 ) September 19-20

At Padres (66-83) September 21-24

Against Marlins (69-80) September 25-27

against Dodgers (96-52) September 29-October 1

The Rockies have 12 games and two off days (September 18 and September 28) in the final two weeks. Their first six are on the road with the final six games at home. Only the final three games against the Dodgers are against a team with a winning record. Colorado is 12-4 versus the Giants, 10-5 against the Padres, and 9-7 facing Los Angeles this season. The Marlins swept the Rockies at Marlins Park in their only series of the season on August 11-13.

Chicago Cubs (83-66, 4 game lead NL Central)

At Rays (73-77) September 19-20

At Brewers (79-70) September 21-24

At Cardinals (77-72) September 25-28

Against Reds (66-84) September 29-October 1

After their last off day on September 18, the Cubs will play 13 games in a row to end the season. The first ten will be on the road. While the Rays have fallen in the AL Wild Card race, they will start Chris Archer, who defeated the Cubs on July 4 and Blake Snell, who threw five scoreless innings against Chicago on July 5.  Four games each in Milwaukee and St. Louis will be the Cubs biggest tests. The last place Reds are the opponent with the worst record on the schedule in the only three remaining home games.

What does this mean for the Brewers?

With four games against the Cubs remaining, the Milwaukee Brewers still control their own destiny in the NL Central. However, the Crew may need to sweep Chicago again to draw even in the division. Meanwhile, the Rockies schedule isn’t favorable for Milwaukee. Colorado has beat up on San Francisco and San Diego this season, and Miami has fallen off from their strong August. The Dodgers should have home field advantage locked up by final series and use those games as a postseason tune-up.

Next: What was Miami in Miller Park like?

Unless the Brewers receive help from losing teams, the 2nd wild card spot may be out of reach. With the Cubs heating up, Milwaukee must win or sweep the series this weekend to remain alive in the NL Central Race. Regardless, the Crew must win as many games as possible in the final two weeks to keep their postseason hopes alive.