The Milwaukee Brewers seemed destined to be the big story of the 2025 MLB postseason. After defeating the Chicago Cubs in an exciting fifth game of the National League Division Series – their first playoff series victory since 2018 – the team secured its ticket to the Championship Series. However, what promised to be a story of overcoming adversity has been marred by comments from manager Pat Murphy, which have ignited controversy both inside and outside the locker room.
“The Dodgers don’t even know who we are”
Before the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Murphy tried to feed the team spirit under the narrative of “the underdogs”. “Most of the Dodgers players can’t name eight players on our roster,” he said. Far from getting into controversy, the Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts responded calmly: “We know the game”.
However, Murphy’s speech did not have the desired effect. The Dodgers dominated the first two games of the series, making it clear that the differences between the two teams were not just financial. In the first game, Blake Snell pitched eight scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts, and in the second, Yoshinobu Yamamoto completed a game with just one run allowed. Milwaukee’s offense was virtually nonexistent.
The comment that sparked criticism
After the second meeting, Murphy made headlines again by declaring:
Snell makes more money than our entire pitching staff, and rightly so
The phrase, shared by journalist Matthew Moreno on Dodgers Blue via X, was interpreted by many fans as an attack on his own team. On social media, several Milwaukee fans criticized the manager’s defeatist tone. “Pat Murphy is doing a great job of making himself and the Brewers unlikeable,” wrote one fan, reflecting the general sentiment.
Economic differences, same baseball
Murphy has been keen to point out the differences in payrolls: the Dodgers operate on a budget of $320 million, while the Brewers barely reach $130 million. However, the argument loses strength when it is remembered that Milwaukee achieved 97 wins in the regular season and was one of the most consistent teams in the National League.
Even from the other side, Roberts recognized the intention of his colleague: “That’s Murph. He tries to convince his team and prepares them. He’s going to have them ready,” he said. Snitker responded elegantly: “I don’t get carried away by the ‘Average Joes’. They’re not. They’re a really good team.”
A narrative that can backfire
Although Murphy’s strategy was to unite his team against the Los Angeles giants, it seems to be having the opposite effect. Instead of reinforcing the Brewers’ identity as fighters, it has made some fans perceive his speech as an early excuse.
With the series 0-2 and the Dodgers in control, Milwaukee needs more action and less talk to turn things around. If they don’t, the manager’s message could go down in history not as motivation… but as distraction.
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