SPORTS LINE
Brewers.
The final day of the regular season has arrived, with the Milwaukee Brewers already securing the best record in baseball. In 56 regular seasons of Milwaukee Brewers baseball, no team before it ever accomplished what this one just did. Starting in less than one week, the push to do the same in the postseason begins. By triumphing, 4-2, over the Cincinnati Reds in game 162 on Sept. 28, the Brewers set the franchise record with their 97th win of the season, surpassing the previous mark set in both 2011 and 2018.
The Brewers send out their ace, Freddy Peralta, to finish off the season. One of the better pitchers in the league this season, Freddy Peralta leads the NL with 17 wins, and the All-Star has a career-best 2.68 ERA through his 32 starts this year. His consistency should be commended. He’s only allowed more than one earned run twice since the start of August. The Brewers announced a few roster transactions before their last regular game.
Both LHP DL Hall and RHP Trevor Megill were reinstated from the 15-day injured list. To make room for these moves, RHP Erick Fedde was designated for assignment, with RHP Carlos Rodriquez being optioned to the Rookie ACL Brewers. Fedde had a solid run with Milwaukee this season, providing a 3.38 ERA over 16 innings since his arrival in late August. Milwaukee (96-65) won the NL Central and has clinched the No. 1 overall seed with the best record in the majors for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The Brewers will be idle until the first game of the NLDS on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks will start the season with their franchise star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, but trade rumors will probably keep going. Even with Antetokounmpo voicing that he has every intention of staying in Milwaukee, the rumors still swirl. The forward appears completely focused on the upcoming season and is targeting an area where he needs to improve. The Greek Freak is seeking help from Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony on his biggest weakness, his jump shot. Antetokounmpo is one of the few players who has managed to win an MVP award and establish himself as an elite NBA player, despite lacking a consistent jump shot or the ability to space the floor. His explosiveness and 100th percentile length give Antetokounmpo enough juice on offense to score, while also defending at an elite level. Throughout his career, Antetokounmpo has shot 28.4 percent from three-point range, with last season being one of his worst at 22.2 percent on 0.9 attempts per game. He still averaged 30.4 points while shooting 62 percent from the field and a 60.7 effective field goal percentage.
Center Myles Turner was labeled as a notable upgrade over Brook Lopez, who was the team’s anchor last season. This will be a great advantage for the team and Antetokounmpo. The Milwaukee Bucks have finalized their 2025 Training Camp roster. Training camp will take place in Milwaukee at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center from Sept. 30-Oct 2 before continuing in Miami from Oct. 3-5.
Packers.
The Green Bay Packers have strived to play complementary football, especially these last two weeks. Before giving up 40 points to the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 28, their defense had played dully to start the season. Their offense has had some bright moments. But the special teams have yet to do their part.
The Green Bay Packers’ special teams have struggled, including having a kick blocked for the second consecutive week. In addition to blocked kicks, the special teams unit has committed six penalties this season. After Jordan Love connected with Romeo Doubs for their second straight touchdown to make it 13-0, Brandon McManus’ extra-point attempt was blocked. While the blocked kicks get magnified, there have been other issues with special teams.
According to NFLpenalties.com, the Packers are tied for third in penalties at 35, with 18 from the offense, 11 on defense, and six from special teams. Early in the second quarter, Golden fielded a punt and, as he went to make a spin move, he took a big hit from Marist Liufau. Golden was replaced by Doubs as the punt returner. In the new NFL kickoff rules, there’s the landing zone − the area between the receiving team’s goal line and its 20-yard line. Kicks that hit in the landing zone and go into the end zone must be returned or downed by the receiving team. If the ball is downed, it’s a touchback at the receiving team’s 20-yard line. For kicks that hit in the end zone and stay inbounds, they can be returned or downed. If it’s downed, it’s a touchback to that team’s 35-yard line. That being said, rookie Savion Williams was a kick returner in his freshman year at Texas Christian, and now he’s in the role with the Packers alongside Bo Melton. He’s returned seven kicks for 171 yards. Sunday’s game’s finish — a 34-yard field goal by Brandon McManus as overtime expired — felt underwhelming after a second half filled with explosive plays.
It also exposed what’s become a growing concern for the Packers: the conservative decision-making of head coach Matt LaFleur.
