There's a theoretical formula for getting to October, draft and develop well, build a complete roster that has depth at key positions, use analytics to piece together the best mix of skill sets and sign targeted free agents to fill in missing pieces.The more money you have, the easier it is to sign those free agents, of course, but as the Yankees, Mets, Giants, and Angels will tell you, playing in a big market and acquiring expensive talent doesn't always guarantee results.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.
If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.But once you're in the postseason, how can you ensure your team gets a spot in the World Series? The ultimate goal, the only outcome that matters, and the only determinant of the "best team in baseball?"A DODGERS-LESS WORLD SERIES WOULD HURT NOW, BUT HELP MLB LATER | BOBBY BURACKThe 2026 Milwaukee Brewers are showing the rest of the sport exactly how it's done.William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after hitting a single in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on Oct.
14, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif.(Getty Images)For context, the Brewers enter Thursday afternoon as overwhelming favorites to advance to the World Series thanks to their 3-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers have the most expensive roster in the sport, though by active player payroll in 2026 they did trail the New York Mets, depending on which source you use.Milwaukee? They were just 19th this season.They traded away Freddy Peralta, their best pitcher, in 2025, a year after trading star closer Devin Williams to the Yankees, and trading Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles.
Their big offseason acquisitions were backup catcher Gary Sanchez, Angel Zerpa, Jake Woodford, and a trade to bring in David Hamil...