Why Brewers fans should be happy the 2025 squad earned a first-round bye

The Milwaukee Brewers wrapped up their third straight NL Central title over the weekend, marking the first time in franchise history that they've accomplished such a feat.

That division title also came with a first-round playoff bye, something the team has never had the luxury of enjoying.

That means an extra five days of rest after the postseason begins, not to mention a free pass into the divisional series. Given the Brewers' struggles in the Wild Card Round historically, this first-round bye could work wonders for the franchise's playoff hopes.

Brewers avoid Wild Card round, nearing home field advantage throughout playoffs

Everyone remembers what happened in last year's Wild Card series against the New York Mets, but did you know that the Brewers have never won in that round of the playoffs in their franchise history?

Including sudden-death Wild Card games, the Brewers are 0-4 in the initial round of the postseason (all since 2019). They've only won one game in that round.

2019: Lost 1-0 to Washington Nationals
2020: Lost 2-0 to Los Angeles Dodgers
2023: Lost 2-0 to Arizona Diamondbacks
2024: Lost 2-1 to New York Mets

There's something that's incredibly difficult and volatile about a series that's only two or three games long, especially for a team that's built more on depth than star power like the Brewers are.

Avoiding that best-of-three series -- and any potential early-playoff letdown again -- should only favor Milwaukee as the team looks to make the World Series for the first time since 1982.

Of course, a playoff bye also means that the team gets some extra rest before having to play any games in October, and it's safe to say that the Brewers need some rest right now.

Brandon Woodruff and Jose Quintana are both on the injured list right now, as are Trevor Megill and DL Hall. The team is also just 10-9 this month after a blistering 21-9 record in August.

As for the final week of the season, this team still has something to play for. The Brewers are 2.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for the No. 1 seed in the National League, as well as the best record in baseball. That matters because securing that status means the team would have home-field advantage through the entirety of the playoffs.

For now, Brewers fans should celebrate another division title and first-round bye. With a strong week to close out the regular season, they could enter the playoffs as the favorites for a World Series title.