What happened: Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Lane Grindle pointed to the club's midseason trip to Southern California as the stretch that solidified their championship belief. After suffering a sweep in San Diego, Milwaukee rebounded by taking three of four games against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Why it matters: The series win halted momentum from an earlier slide and established Milwaukee's capability against a premier National League contender. Navigating that adversity on the road served as the foundation for the resilience that culminated in the 2026 World Series title.

What to watch: Milwaukee now heads into the winter focused on roster management and preparations to defend its championship.