As fans settled in for what promised to be an exhilarating game, the Milwaukee Brewers took on the San Diego Padres in a late-night showdown Wednesday. For many in the Midwest, the 9 p.m. start time presented a challenge, but for Brewers enthusiasts, it was a must-watch.
Among these fans was Sandy Grzeskowiak, a dedicated supporter from Milwaukee. However, the late hour proved too much, and she drifted off to sleep before the final pitch. Upon waking Thursday morning, she was greeted with the thrilling news of the Brewers’ victory over the Padres, propelling them back into the National League Championship Series (NLCS).
“And I couldn’t believe it, I was just in shock,” Grzeskowiak exclaimed. Her excitement led her to the Brewers Team Store at American Family Field, where she sought out “Take October” t-shirts to celebrate the win.
Mary Lemke, a resident of Greendale, resisted sleep to witness the entire game. “I wanted to go out and start honking the car horn,” she said, illustrating her elation.
Meanwhile, Linda Jacobson shared that her son entertained friends at their home for the game, resulting in a lively night of celebrations. “Even though it’s a school night, they were all there until midnight, and then as they all left, they were all beeping the horns up and down the block,” Jacobson recounted. “We still had some horn beeping.”
The Brewers clinched the series 3-1, setting up a highly anticipated rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS starting this weekend. Last year, the Dodgers swept the Brewers, but this time, Grzeskowiak feels hopeful. She even texted her daughter’s boyfriend, a Dodgers fan, with a spirited message: “Be prepared, we’re a better team this year, we’ve got it going, the momentum’s in our favor, and we’re going to beat you guys.”
The 2026 season has been historic for the Brewers, achieving a franchise record of 103 wins. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are aiming for their third consecutive World Series title. Jean Lewis, a season ticket holder, expressed her excitement despite the late-night fatigue. “Yeah, hard to sleep last night,” Lewis admitted, adding, “I am so excited for this year, and I’m hoping that they actually make it all the way.”
The Brewers are striving to reach the World Series for the first time since 1982, a title that has eluded them. Longtime fan Evan Wilder feels confident this season could be their breakthrough. “I do think we’re gonna take it this year,” Wilder said.
The Game 4 victory in San Diego marked a significant milestone, being the Brewers’ first postseason road win since 2018. This follows their dramatic comeback in Game 2, highlighted by Jackson Chourio’s decisive ninth-inning single.
Chuck Freimund, host of the “Locked on Brewers” podcast, had anticipated the Brewers’ success against the Padres but emphasized the need for a strong offensive performance to surpass the Dodgers. “You can’t be stranding guys on the base paths against them,” Freimund advised. “You really can’t do that with any team, but especially that team.”
The opening game of the NLCS is set for Sunday.
