Covering the bases 9/20/2025: Brewers 3, Cardinals 2 (10 inn., magic number 1)
The Milwaukee Brewers moved ever so close to wrapping up the NL Central title, pulling out a 3-2 victory in 10 innings over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday at Busch Stadium. With seven games left to play, the Brewers lead the second-place Chicago Cubs by seven games, reducing their magic number to one. With MLB's best record at 95-60, the Brewers are three games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies, the NL East champs, in the battle for the No. 1 seed in the NL playoffs. The win officially secured a bye for the Brewers in the first round of the postseason. The Brewers also moved within one game of tying the club record for wins in a season. They won 96 in 2008 and 2011.
FIRST BASE: Central clincher Sunday?
The Brewers spent their 57th consecutive day in first place in the NL Central. They will have their first opportunity to officially win the division in the series finale Sunday. That became official when the Cubs lost to the Cincinnati Reds 6-3. The Cubs will be looking to avoid a four-game sweep Sunday. Meanwhile, the Brewers could win the Central for the third straight season and fourth time in five years.
SECOND BASE: Concern for Contreras
Catcher William Contreras, who has battled a broken middle finger on his catching hand since May, left the game in the bottom of the eighth inning after his catching hand was whacked by the bat of Cardinals DH Ivan Herrera in the seventh inning. Contreras finished the inning, but came out when trying to catch Abner Uribe to lead off the eighth. Contreras will undergo further examination, but there is a real possibility of a broken bone in the wrist or back of the hand. Danny Jansen came in to catch.
THIRD BASE: Everyday Ashby
While the Brewers wanted to develop left-hander Aaron Ashby into a starter, he has proven to be a true weapon out of the bullpen. Ashby showed his value by pitching 2⅔ innings of relief following right-hander Chad Patrick's 4⅓-inning start. Ashby allowed four hits, but did not issue a walk and struck out one. Uribe pitched a perfect eighth and left-hander Jared Koenig tossed two scoreless innings, facing just five batters. Koenig also made a big defensive play in the 10th, fielding a comebacker, looking the automatic runner at second back, then throwing to first to get that out. With the runner attempting to go to third, first baseman Andruw Monasterio threw a bullet to third baseman Caleb Durbin to complete the 1-3-5 double play. The next batter flew out to end the game.
THIS DEFENSE
— Milwaukee Brewers (Bot) (@brewersbot.bsky.social) September 20, 2025 at 7:10 PM
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HOME PLATE: Timely Turang
Just when the Brewers needed a big hit, Brice Turang delivered. Turang drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning as he grounded a two-out, two-strike single to left field to score automatic runner Jackson Chourio from second base.
EXTRA BASES: Will it be Gasser?
⚾ While officially the Brewers have not announced a starting pitcher for Sunday's finale matchup of the season with the Cardinals, all signs point to left-hander Robert Gasser getting the start against Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore (7-12, 4.30 ERA). Gasser made five starts for the Crew in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Gasser was very good in his MLB debut season, posting a 2.57 ERA with one walk and 16 strikeouts over 28 innings. In 14 minor-league appearances this year, including 10 starts, Gasser has a 2.61 ERA with 11 walks and 41 strikeouts in 38 innings. Gasser is likely to make two starts in the final seven games of the regular season in an audition to be included on the postseason roster. Liberatore allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with six strikeouts over six innings in what would be an 11-6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds in his last outing.
⚾ The Brewers made one move before the game, calling up left-handed reliever Bruce Zimmerman from Triple-A Nashville and designating right-handed reliever Joel Payamps for assignment.
