Brewers Lock Up NL Top Seed as Phillies Dreams Fade

It proved tough for the Phillies to compete with the Brewers' record, who clinched the NL's top seed, ending hopes for home-field advantage.

Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

September 28, 2025

The Milwaukee Brewers have officially clinched the National League’s top seed, making it tough for the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans, who were hoping for the top NL seed. The Brewers secured home-field advantage throughout the postseason after the Phillies fell to Minnesota Twins on Saturday night, dashing Philadelphia’s hopes of overtaking Milwaukee in the final days of the regular season.

Brewers Earn Top NL Seed in Postseason

Milwaukee finished Saturday’s contest with a 96-64 record, whereas the Phillies ended at 95-65, with the Brewers holding the crucial tiebreaker advantage. The single-game difference represented a massive swing in playoff positioning that will impact both teams’ championship paths significantly.

The race had tightened considerably over the past two weeks, creating drama that lasted until the final weekend of the regular season. Philadelphia had secured the No. 2 seed, but it was tough for the Phillies to catch the Brewers, requiring a near-perfect finish combined with a Milwaukee collapse that never materialized.

What This Means for October Playoffs

The difference between the top two seeds cannot be overstated in terms of playoff implications. The Brewers now receive a bye directly to the National League Division Series and will host all their home games throughout the postseason. Philadelphia, meanwhile, also earns a bye for the first round before potentially facing Milwaukee on the road, depending on the outcome of the NLDS. The bracket is not fully set, but the Los Angeles Dodgers locked up the third seed and are set to take on one of the NL’s two Wild Card teams. Who the Dodgers’ opponents are has yet to be finalized.

Star players like Bryce Harper and Trea Turner understand the uphill battle that lies ahead. Road playoff games present additional challenges, especially for a team that built its regular-season success largely on home-field dominance. 54 of Philadelphia’s 95 wins came at home, which is about 57%.

Key Moments That Made It Tough for Phillies

The Phillies’ loss to Minnesota proved decisive. But several other crucial moments throughout September contributed to missing out on the top seed. Philadelphia needed to maintain near perfection while hoping Milwaukee would stumble. The Brewers team remained focused despite having already clinched their division weeks earlier.

Philadelphia entered its final series needing every win possible to track down the top seed. But the Phillies could not execute when it mattered most. The pressure of chasing rather than controlling their own destiny ultimately proved too much.

Looking Ahead to National League Playoffs

Despite missing the top seed, the Phillies remain dangerous playoff contenders with an experienced roster and proven October performers. Kyle Schwarber and the rest of the lineup possess the talent to make noise regardless of seeding.

The Wild Card round will test Philadelphia’s championship mettle immediately. It forces them to play their best baseball from day one of the postseason rather than enjoying the luxury of home-field advantage throughout.