MILWAUKEE - Shaun Marcum carried the postcard addressed to about a dozen Milwaukee Brewers in his right hand, part of the multitude of mail players receive each season.
This one caught the pitcher’s eye. The “Save the Date’’ note wanted the players to hold aside Saturday, Oct. 1.
No offense to the soon-to-be newlyweds in nearby Neenah, Wis., but Marcum and the rest of the Brewers have other plans.
The best wedding gift they can provide? Hosting Game 1 of a National League Divisional Series.
It’s a scenario that seemed unlikely until Milwaukee reeled off the best stretch in franchise history, going 19-2 over a three-week period before losing, 5-1, to the Dodgers Thursday. The run vaulted the Brewers from third behind Pittsburgh and St. Louis in the NL Central to as many as seven games ahead, their biggest division lead ever this late in a season.
All but three of the wins came against NL Central opponents, and what started as a three-way chase is now Milwaukee’s solo quest for its first division crown since 1982.
“Confidence level is not really even a thought. We know we’re good and basically it’s ours to lose right now,’’ right fielder Corey Hart said. “When we’re out there, we’re going to be a hard team to beat.’’
The Brewers insist this swagger started in spring training.
General manager Doug Melvin hired rookie manager Ron Roenicke from the Angels staff after two disappointing seasons under Ken Macha. He went out and acquired Zack Greinke from Kansas City and Marcum from Toronto, trading away shortstop Alcides Escobar and four prospects in the process.
Melvin also deftly diffused what could’ve been this group’s biggest distraction - Prince Fielder’s future. The slugging first baseman signed a $15.5-million, one-year deal and will be eligible for free agency for the first time after the World Series.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen after this year. So, I want to make sure if I do leave, I want to leave a winner,’’ Fielder said. “I love this city. The team gave me my chance. If I were to leave, I want to leave a winner.’’
That’s let all the Brewers savor this run. Fielder’s best friend, Rickie Weeks, insists that they aren’t trying to win for any one player, but clearly they want what could be Fielder’s final few weeks in Milwaukee to be memorable.
“Being able to win for Prince is huge because he’s a friend. He’s not just a teammate, he’s a close friend to a lot of us,’’ Hart said. “Whether it’s his last year or he comes back, to have that year where we did it together would be special for everybody.’’
