The Post’s Dan Martin breaks down five things to know about the Brewers ahead of their NL Wild Card series against the Mets:
Familiar face
If the Mets are upset about facing a strong team in Milwaukee, they have their own manager to blame in large part, as president of baseball operations David Stearns built much of the Brewers roster before eventually coming home to run the Mets.
Stearns’ right-hand man, Matt Arnold, took over in Milwaukee last season and the Brewers have made the playoffs in six of the last seven years.
New face in the dugout
When the Brewers regularly rose to the top of the NL Central, it was manager Craig Cousell who was in the dugout — until this season.
Advice left Milwaukee after last season for a big contract with the Cubs and his bench coach, Pat Murphy, took over.
However, the Brewers haven’t missed a beat.
Which MVP?
While the Mets dealt with Francisco Lindor’s brief absence due to a back injury, the Brewers have been without their own MVP candidate, Christian Yelich, since July with their own back problems.
Rookie Jackson Chourio has helped make up for Yelich’s absence, as the 20-year-old has been one of the best young players in the league.
Wages
The lazy narrative would be that it’s big, bad New York versus middle-of-nowhere Milwaukee, but the Steve Cohen-led Mets have MLB’s highest payroll, while the Brewers are 21st, according to Spotrac.
Public Enemy No. 1
It doesn’t matter if Rhys Hoskins is in Philadelphia or Milwaukee, he’s giving the Mets trouble.
Most recently, it came in the form of a grand slam against them on Friday – temporarily putting a dent in their postseason hopes.
And just for kicks, maybe ex-Yankee flameout Gary Sanchez, now Milwaukee’s primary DH, can work some October magic.