Milwaukee Brewers sweep two-time defending champ LA Dodgers, advance to first World Series in 44 years

The GIST: From the downing of a dynasty to unlikely clutch performances, postseason baseball remains full of surprises. One half of the World Series matchup is officially set, and the other half could be decided by the end of the weekend. Step right up.

🍺💙 Milwaukee Brewers sweep LA Dodgers, reach first World Series: David defeats Goliath. The Brewers finally turned their regular-season prowess into postseason success, eliminating the Dodgers with last night’s come-from-behind 6–4 Game 4 win. And while Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani busted out of his slump, blasting his first homer since August 18th, it was too little, too late for LA.

• While Milwaukee awaits their opponent (more on that below), a moment for the two-time defending champs. The Dodgers competed in five of the last eight World Series, an era of dominance defined by a willingness to spend big on their squad.

• All of that success has led some to argue for a salary cap, the issue at the center of ongoing CBA negotiations between MLB and the players. Does the Dodgers being bounced automatically assuage lockout fears? No, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.

🛡️🌴 Cleveland Guardians take 2-1 series lead over Tampa Bay Rays: Guardians outfielder Petey Halpin had just four career home runs entering yesterday’s Game 3, but October is all about unlikely heroes. Halpin blasted a two-run shot in the fifth inning, lifting Cleveland to a 3–2 win yesterday. Rumor has it his bat is still flipping.

• Now, the Guards have two more home games — tonight at 6 p.m. ET and tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET — to try and advance to their first World Series since 2016. Tampa Bay won’t go quietly, but they’ll need more from their superstars to keep this best-of-seven series alive.