Leading 2-0 in the bottom of the ninth with Devin Williams on the mound, the Milwaukee Brewers seemed poised to secure their first postseason series victory since 2018. However, when it mattered most, the Mets ignited their offense, scoring four runs in the final two outs of the inning — highlighted by a three-run homer from Pete Alonso and an RBI single from Starling Marte — leaving the city of Milwaukee stunned.

In his postgame interview following the loss, Brewers' manager Pat Murphy said "It felt like a tragedy... I felt sad for our guys because they competed like they did and it was, you know, but it's baseball and when you're facing a team with those types of guys that's what they're capable of."

This loss marked the Brewers' fifth consecutive postseason defeat while holding a multi-run lead, underscoring a troubling trend in the franchise’s playoff history. After game one, they became the first team to lose four straight postseason games when leading by multiple runs, and this latest game only extended that streak.

To make matters worse, over the past seven seasons, the Brewers have made the playoffs six times, yet their achievements are overshadowed by the unfortunate reality: they have advanced beyond their first round played just once, in the 2018 National League Divisional Series (NLDS) against the Colorado Rockies. This stretch heavily contrasts their regular season success, raising questions about their ability to translate that into postseason triumph. 

In total, the Brewers have made 10 playoff appearances in their history, securing only three series victories. Compounding their woes is the grim statistic that they have lost 13 of their last 16 playoff games. Each defeat chips away at the optimism surrounding the franchise, leaving fans to wonder whether the Brewers can ever escape this cycle of heartbreak.

The trend becomes even more concerning when considering the teams that have eliminated the Brewers. Each team that has sent Milwaukee home has either reached or won the World Series. The list includes the New York Yankees (1981), St. Louis Cardinals (1982, 2011), Philadelphia Phillies (2008), Los Angeles Dodgers (2018, 2020), Atlanta Braves (2021), and Arizona Diamondbacks (2023). Now, with the Mets advancing into the NLDS, the Brewers find themselves reflecting on yet another opportunity lost.

The narrative of the Brewers’ postseason struggles demands attention. With each exit, the team faces an urgent need for introspection and change. Many believed that the managerial change to Pat Murphy could finally break the “curse.”

The upcoming offseason is crucial for Milwaukee, as key players like Willy Adames and Devin Williams enter free agency. Being a small-market team, it’s increasingly likely that Milwaukee won’t be able to retain both stars.