In front of a home crowd at American Family Field, the Milwaukee Brewers opened the 2024 NL Wild Card round against the New York Mets with high hopes, only to stumble in a tough 8-4 loss. Game 1, crucial in a best-of-three series, saw the Mets overpower the Brewers, with big innings while Milwaukee's own offense struggled to keep pace despite an early surge. The Brewers will need a quick turnaround in Game 2 on Wednesday to keep their postseason hopes alive.
For the Brewers, this game came down to missed opportunities on offense and a pitching staff that couldn’t contain New York down the stretch. The Mets, led by strong performances both at the plate and on the mound, made the most of their chances.
Let’s take a look at the game by the numbers to break down what happened in this opening contest.
8 Runs
The Mets' offense came alive with eight total runs, most of which came in the fifth inning. Their bats were hot, with timely hits from the heart of the lineup. New York set the tone and answered to Milwaukee’s best innings, which proved too much for Milwaukee to overcome. Every rally seemed to capitalize on Brewers' pitching mistakes, and the Mets made sure to punish every one of them.
40,022 Fans
American Family Field was packed, even for a 4:30 p.m. first pitch on a Tuesday, with more than 40,000 fans providing a raucous atmosphere for the postseason opener. Despite the disappointing result, the energy in the stadium was electric, especially as Milwaukee gained the lead a couple of times early on. The home crowd will need to keep that energy high in Game 2 to give the Crew a crucial lift.
5 Runs in the Fifth
The fifth inning was where the game truly turned. With the score in the favor of the good guys, 4-3, the Mets exploded for five runs, which put the Brewers on their heels. Milwaukee’s pitching faltered, allowing New York to string together big hits from Jose Iglesias, Mark Vientos, J.D. Martinez and more. The inning gave the Mets a commanding lead and shifted momentum firmly in their favor.
+1 Hits
While New York’s lineup produced seven hits, one less than Milwaukee, it wasn’t just the quantity—it was the quality. The Mets were efficient with runners in scoring position, and their hits came at critical times.
8 Brewers Strikeouts
While they ultimately lost the game, Milwaukee’s pitching staff also won the strikeout battle. With 5 strikeouts from Freddy Peralta and 3 from the bullpen, the Brewers had their share of Ks in their losing effort.
6 Innings Pitched for Luis Severino
Severino delivered a strong performance for the Mets, pitching six innings with 3 earned runs, overcoming a tough first inning for New York. His ability to keep the Brewers' lineup off balance, coupled with his control, set the tone for New York's pitching staff on Tuesday.
Turang’s 2 RBIs
Despite the loss, Brice Turang provided a bright spot for the Brewers with two RBIs. His clutch hitting helped spark the early rallies, but the deficit was too large to overcome. Turang’s performance will be something the Brewers can build on as they try to force a Game 3 if they win on Wednesday.
5 Milwaukee Pitchers Used
The Brewers' pitching carousel saw five different arms take the mound in an attempt to stifle the Mets’ offense. The Brewers will have to prevent the big inning in order to win the series.
13 Straight Batters Retired
When the Brewers needed run support the most, the Mets retired 13 straight batters to coast to their Game 1 win. Although Milwaukee started the game hot, their momentum fizzled quickly throughout the game.
2 More Wins (sigh)
This loss puts the Brewers in a must-win situation with just two games left in the series. A Game 2 victory is essential if they hope to force a deciding Game 3 and keep their postseason alive. The Brewers have shown resilience all season, and now they’ll need to channel that fighting spirit in the next game.
Game 1 may not have gone Milwaukee’s way, but the series isn’t over. With adjustments and a return to fundamentals, the Brewers still have a chance to turn the tide in their favor.
