In the heart of the Midwest, the sports rivalries between Wisconsin and Illinois run deep, with matchups like the Milwaukee Brewers vs. the Chicago Cubs and the Green Bay Packers vs. the Chicago Bears fueling the fire. Last postseason, both states had reasons to celebrate: the Brewers took down the Cubs in the NLDS, while the Bears edged out the Packers in the Wild Card Round.
However, if we look at the bigger picture, Wisconsin has had the upper hand in recent years. Since 2017, the Cubs have only claimed the NL Central once, and that was during the shortened 2020 season. In contrast, the Brewers have dominated with five division titles in that same period, including the last three in a row.
What’s impressive about Milwaukee’s run is how they’ve achieved it. The Brewers are rarely seen as division favorites and don’t typically make splashy offseason moves. Instead, they focus on developing talent from within, often trading established stars to build a promising roster of prospects.
Meanwhile, the Cubs, just a short drive down I-94, are looking to change the narrative. Team owner Tom Ricketts is confident that 2026 will be their year to reclaim the NL Central.
Ricketts has high hopes following a busy offseason for the Cubs. They inked Alex Bregman to a multi-year deal, traded for pitcher Edward Cabrera, re-signed Shota Imanaga, and revamped their bullpen with Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, and Hoby Milner. Ricketts believes these moves set the stage for a division win.
“We should win the division. It’s just a matter of executing, staying healthy, and I think we should be right there,” Ricketts stated. He emphasized the importance of winning the division not just for bragging rights but to position the team well for the playoffs.
Ricketts didn’t stop there, expressing the team’s championship aspirations: “The Cubs need to win more World Series.” Bold words, especially for a franchise that only recently secured its first playoff series win since 2016 and hasn’t snagged a division title in the 2020s.
For Brewers fans, Ricketts’ confidence might come off as a bit premature. Milwaukee has quietly but effectively ruled the NL Central, consistently outperforming expectations. Ricketts’ comments, while ambitious, may be seen as a touch optimistic given the Brewers’ recent track record.
From the Brewers’ perspective, the focus remains on performance over promises. Actions on the diamond speak louder than offseason buzz, and Milwaukee’s consistent success sets a high bar for any challenger. Ricketts’ statements might just serve as extra motivation for the Brewers to continue their dominant run.