Brewers mathematically eliminated from MLB playoffs

Although the Milwaukee Brewers gave it a yeoman's effort, their season will be ending earlier than they had hoped after failing to make good on a first-half lead in the National League Central. They fell back down to earth as the Cardinals and Pirates moved past them in the race for both the division and Wild Card.

The Brewers were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention on Thursday with a 5-3 loss in Cincinnati, clinching a wild card spot for the San Francisco Giants.

Milwaukee got off to a blazing start at 20-7 and spent 149 consecutive days in first place, including a 2½-game lead as late as Aug. 19. But since then the Brewers went 10-23 to knock them out of the postseason picture.

While some may look back at this season as a missed opportunity, seamheads would much rather call it "regression to the mean," as Milwaukee's minus-three run differential would attest. That's not to say that the team didn't have its moments, but it was simply unable to overcome its mediocrity -- 14th in MLB in runs scored per game and 17th in ERA -- to make any October magic happen.

But there's no reason to lose all hope ye who root next year. Ryan Braun is still producing solid numbers, though 2014 was a bit of an off-year for him, and Carlos Gomez made his second straight All-Star team as a strong two-way player. Khris Davis developed a bit of pop in his bat and Jonathan Lucroy posted a six-win season (by both measures) after hinting at untapped potential the last two years. On the pitching side, four veteran starters (three of whom are still under contract next year) anchored the rotation with above-average seasons and Mike Fiers (1.84 ERA in nine starts) emerged as another starting candidate late in the year. There's reason to believe that Milwaukee will be in the running for the NL Central again next year.