Brewers showing Pirates how to execute perfect plan with minuscule payroll

Division Series - Chicago Cubs v Milwaukee Brewers - Game One | Michael Reaves/GettyImagesAs two National League Central rivals battle it out in the NLDS matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs, the Pittsburgh Pirates are left to sit and watch from the sidelines. Again.

But as painful as it might be to watch, the Brewers are providing a sort of blueprint for how a small-market, modest-payroll club can punch above its weight and offering plenty of lessons to the Pirates in the process.

When you look at Milwaukee’s success, it’s not a fluke; it’s a confluence of intentional strategy, strong execution and embracing constraints. The Brewers’ luxury-tax payroll in 2025 is around…