The Milwaukee Brewers have spent the last few seasons proving that they can contend with anyone despite operating under vastly different financial realities than baseball's biggest spenders.
With another postseason push well underway, they have again positioned themselves among the National League's elite with the best record in all of Major League Baseball.
But after one star-studded rival dramatically widened the talent gap just before the trade deadline, Brewers skipper Pat Murphy was forced to acknowledge the clear favorite for a World Series title.
Milwaukee Brewers Manager Pat Murphy Sends Los Angeles Dodgers Message After Blockbuster Addition
On Saturday, news broke that the Los Angeles Dodgers had landed reigning two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, adding another superstar talent to the odds-on favorite for a third straight title.
"The Dodgers acquired Skubal, the reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner, from the Detroit Tigers for a package of three prospects: outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith,” ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez reported. “Skubal, a 29-year-old pending free agent, will now headline what was arguably already the best rotation in the sport."
Though the Brewers led the Dodgers in the standings at the time of the trade, Murphy offered a four-word response on the news that demonstrated the West Coast rival’s dominance.
"L.A. is America's team," Murphy said, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
Murphy, whose Brewers have been a tough out in the playoffs but have never managed to beat the latest iteration of the Dodgers juggernaut, also praised Skubal specifically in his reaction.
"L.A. is America's team and has all the big names,” Murphy added, per Shaikin. “Now they just added to that, with maybe the best pitcher in the game, certainly one of the greats in this era."
Milwaukee Brewers’ Pat Murphy Responds To Los Angeles Dodgers’ Blockbuster Trade
Brewers fans, and any others who are becoming frustrated with the Dodgers’ relentless acquisition of star talent, might wonder why the team did not offer a more enticing package to acquire Skubal and keep him off of the Dodgers.
The Brewers have built one of baseball's most consistent organizations despite operating in the league's smallest market and it might have seemed like this trade deadline was a good opportunity to acquire the best player available and make a stronger push for a first-ever World Series championship in franchise history. But, with the Brewers on track for an eighth postseason appearance in the past nine seasons, they will likely have to go through a historic Dodgers rotation to reach the Fall Classic.
Murphy didn't shy away from comparing the two organizations, noting that, if they ultimately meet in October, the narrative is already set.
"It's going to be David and Goliath," Murphy said, per Shaikin. "We haven't earned that right yet. We haven't got there yet."
The Dodgers, meanwhile, continue to reinforce a roster already loaded with star power. Adding Skubal only strengthened a rotation that many already viewed as baseball's deepest entering the stretch run.