The Milwaukee Brewers have clinched the 2026 National League pennant, sweeping the two-time defending champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, with a 6-4 victory in Game 4 on Thursday night. This marks a significant achievement for the franchise, as Jake Bauers was named the NLCS MVP, a first for the Brewers in League Championship Series history.

Bauers showcased his talent throughout the series, finishing with a 4 for 14 batting record. His contributions included:

• A critical two-run double in Game 4 that halved the Dodgers' lead.
• A pivotal two-run home run in the seventh inning of Game 3, which proved to be the game-winner.
• A notable 12-pitch walk in Game 2 that helped chase 2025 World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the mound.

After the game, Bauers expressed confidence, stating, "There was never a doubt in that dugout what was going to happen. We knew we were going to win."

The Brewers dominated the series, with several players stepping up. Notable performances included:

• William Contreras and Aaron Ashby, who both made strong cases for MVP consideration.
• Robert Gasser, who delivered five scoreless innings in Game 3.
• Key home runs from Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, and a solid performance from David Hamilton.

Bauers' journey to this moment has been remarkable, having played for seven different organizations and nearly retiring after the 2023 season due to personal circumstances. This season, he rebounded with a breakout performance, hitting .266/.389/.484 with 26 homers and 86 RBI, ultimately earning the NLCS MVP honor.