The Milwaukee Brewers, the so-called blueprint for small-market success in MLB, appeared to be a lock to win the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs – until, suddenly, they didn't. An epic collapse in Games 3 and 4 have forced a deciding Game 5 on Saturday, placing Milwaukee on the brink of elimination at the hands of their deep-pocketed National League Central division rivals.
But this stunning collapse has – paradoxically – given Pittsburgh Pirates a rare burst of small-market hope.
It’s not because Pirates fans relish Milwaukee’s pain (well, maybe a little). It’s because the Brewers’ downfall perfectly illustrates both the ceiling and the sustainability of what a well-run small-market team can accomplish – and where the Pirates could go if they ever actually executed their plan correctly.