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The last road trip of the season is the third-longest and will leave the Brewers absolutely wiped out for the close of the season. After making their final trip to St. Louis, the team heads 1800 miles to the Pacific Ocean to face the Padres. Will there be anything left in the tank to finish out the season? Image courtesy of © Jeff Curry-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals - September 19-21 Busch Stadium - Capacity 44,383 2024 Attendance: 2,869,783 (Averaged 35,872, ranked 6th out of 15 NL parks, 7th overall MLB) The Brewers traveled to St. Louis way back during Road Trip #3 in April, as a half-way stop on the way to San Francisco. This time, St. Louis again serves as a waypoint to the ocean, but the ramifications will be amplified. Under 10 games remain in the season, so the margin for error has officially gone the way of the dodo. Afterwards, the Brewers leave directly for San Diego for the last road series of the regular season. You can see our full write-up of Busch Stadium here. San Diego Padres – September 22-24 Petco Park: Capacity 42,000 2024 Attendance: 3,330,545 (Averaged 41,117, ranked 3rd in NL and 4th overall MLB) In 2024, the Brewers dropped two of three to the Padres in San Diego, fighting hard before losing the first two and then salvaging the finale. One of the longest road trips on the Brewers' annual calendar is the trip to Petco Park. The Brewers have surprisingly played the Padres to a virtual standstill since it opened, going 30-33 over that span dating back to 2004. Most of their success has come in the last decade, winning six of eight series since 2017. The Padres franchise started in 1969, and while a host of Hall of Famers have donned the jersey, none have brought home a World Series. Tony Gwynn helped lead them to National League pennants in 1984 and 1998, but even a recent spend-a-thon couldn’t bring sustained success to the club. Now, the team finds itself trying to deliver that ellusive championship after setting records for attendance. What version of the Padres will be waiting to host the Brewers in the last week of the season? Regardless of the product on the field, Petco Park welcomes any baseball fan to experience authentic ballpark fare. Petco Park opened in 2004 in the midst of the retro-classic era of ballparks. They basically sold out during a solid yet relatively disappointing campaign last year, so that should tell you what you need to know about the quality of the stadium as a destination. It's very accessible, and offers family and baseball fans various opportunities to connect with the game. Foodies and beer lovers will also find hospitable hosts around the ballpark. The light rail and trolley system are great ways to get to the game, “Park at the park” provides open lawn seating, and the beautiful weather make this a bucket list “must see” for any fan. As stated earlier, the Padres are surprisingly one of the hardest tickets to get in MLB, so be prepared to pay up for this series. There you have it Brewers Fanatics. After 36,809 miles of road trips, the Brewers finally return home one more time to finish the season and to face the Cincinnati Reds. When the season ends on September 28th, where do you think all of these games and trips and memories will leave the Brewers? With more games to play, or left wondering what might have been? Only time will tell, but I hope you get a chance to experience the story somewhere in person in 2025. View full article

Sometimes, the MLB schedule gods do you some favors, and other times, they ship you around the country for 2815 miles at a crucial point of the season. The Brewers face this reality when they head east to Pittsburgh only to turn back around to Arlington, TX. What awaits Brewers nation on this adventure? Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Pittsburgh Pirates – September 5-7 PNC Park - Capacity 38,747 2024 Attendance: 1,720,361 (Averaged 21,239 - ranked 14th out of 15 NL teams, 25th overall MLB) When the Brewers travel to Pittsburgh in May for a four-game set during Road Trip #5, the season lies ahead of them and the goal becomes making a statement on rival soil. By the time this trip to the PNC Park rolls around, the standings will be mostly set and the goal will be even more apparent. What Pirates squad will await Milwaukee in September? A playoff-bound young group of amazing arms and just enough offense, or a team that is still a few key pieces of the puzzle from contending? Whatever awaits the Brewers in Pittsburgh, they have no time to reflect as they head directly to Arlington, Texas to face the Rangers. You can see our full write-up on PNC Park here. Texas Rangers - September 8-10 Globe Life Field - Capacity 40,300 2024 Attendance: 2,651,553 (Averaged 32,735, fifth out of 15 AL parks and 12th overall) The only trip that Milwaukee has made to Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX, came in 2023, and the Brewers and their fans enjoyed it very, very much. While the opener in the August heat was an offensive 9-8 nail-biter victory for the Brew Crew, the next two games were 6-1 and 6-2 chill rides. A three-game sweep gave the squad a much-needed infusion of "dog days" energy. The Brewers' last trips to Arlington before the 2023 season were in 2016, 2013, and 2007, and those were less exciting for Brewers fans. In fact, they lost every series at the old Globe Life Park version of the road trip. Hopefully, the new trend at the new park continues! Texas exists as an outlier in the baseball universe. Even Moon Baseball Road Trips doesn’t know what to do with it. A trip to a Rangers game gets lumped in with a “heartland” road trip. The retractable roof at the new ballpark offers 71-degree days even when the outdoors is boiling in Arlington, which could matter in early September. Globe Life Field opened to empty seats in 2020 thanks to the Covid pandemic. The seats didn’t necessarily fill up for mediocre baseball in 2022 either, but a World Series championship can do wonders for the attendance figures. After a step back in 2024, the Rangers hope to recapture national attention in 2025. The trend towards “entertainment district” stadium usage continues here, as teams seek to maximize fan spending for blocks in all directions. While in the entertainment district, you can go to Six Flags, a water park, AT&T Stadium, and a mall. What you can’t find is a downtown vibe or accessible public transit. The Dallas metro area has the usual big-city highlights, along with a JFK memorial, the iconic Reunion Tower, and other professional teams like the Stars and Mavericks, who each have home games during this series. After this penultimate road trip, the Brewers return home to face the Cardinals for the first of six games in 10 days against their NL Central rival. The Los Angeles Angels also come to town to break up the St. Louis tension. It’s time to finish strong Brewers fans — how do you think your team will do? View full article

As August comes to a close, the Brewers take a little trip to Toronto to take on the Blue Jays. One city, one goal. Time to win some road games against a hopefully depleted opponent. Image courtesy of © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images Toronto Blue Jays - August 29-31 Rogers Centre – Capacity 39,150 2024 attendance was 2,681,236 (Averaged 33,101, ranked 3rd out of 15 AL parks, 9th overall MLB) In June 2023, the 28-25 Brewers took their passports across the border to the Rogers Centre and they came back with one win and two losses against a Blue Jays squad that was 28-26. This is how road trips usually go when the teams are competitively equal, so no surprises there. In the 67 meetings between the Brewers and Blue Jays that have taken place in Canada since 1989 (remember, American League roots), the Brewers have gone 35-32. So how does that play into the 2025 adventure in late August? The series will probably end in a two games to one split, and the ultimate victor will probably be the team that has the best playoff momentum at the time. Brewers fans can gauge that accordingly before they buy their tickets, but if you need a passport, you are going to want to start that process yesterday! When Toronto got their MLB franchise in 1977, they started out in a retro-fitted football field called Exhibition Stadium. It was 1989 that brought the SkyDome (renamed Rogers Centre in 2005), soon to gain classic replay status for Joe Carter’s World Series winner and back-to-back championships. In the 2010’s, the Blue Jays even boasted the highest attendance in the American League! The SkyDome/Rogers Centre boasts about being the first stadium in the world with a fully retractable motorized roof, hosts a hotel with rooms that look out onto the field, and rests within the Old Downtown neighborhood of the fourth largest city in North America. The field itself? A bit cookie-cutter in form, with excellent food and tourist vibes throughout the concourses. The sounds, tastes, and sights of Toronto are pretty epic. The CN Tower observation deck, Lake Ontario beaches and waterfront, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and an actual “distillery district,” all exist within a few blocks of the ballpark. If you don't have your passport yet, now's the time to get your paperwork rolling if you want to catch this year's edition of Milwaukee's biannual trip. After this one-city tour, the Brewers head back home to face the Phillies in a three-game series (with an off-day on the 2nd). The playoff push is on, but who will be doing the pushing on this trip? View full article

In the middle of August, the Brewers take their shortest, but potentially most important, road trip of the season. It's off to take on the Reds and Cubs on their home turf. What awaits the team on this dog days journey? Image courtesy of © Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Cincinnati Reds – August 15-17 Great American Ballpark - Capacity 43,500 2024 Attendance: 2,024,178 (Averaged 24,989 - ranked 12th out of 15 NL teams, 21st overall MLB) This is Milwaukee's return trip to Cincinnati after starting June there during Road Trip #6. The weather will be warmer, with some storms possible. Rainouts are possible, but so are double-headers from any of the June games rained out. Brewers fans might want to earmark this series if they want to hit Great American Ballpark on their bucket list. After this three-game set, the Brewers head back to Chicago for their second trip to Wrigley Field. Chicago Cubs - August 18-21 Wrigley Field - Capacity 41,649 2024 Attendance: 2,909,755 (Averaged 35,922, ranked 5th in NL parks and 6th overall) The Brewers face a daunting four-game series in their return trip to Chicago to face the Cubs. Since they last went there on Road Trip #7, the NL Central standings should be sorted out, and this series has the potential to be a big one. The heat should make the ball fly out of Wrigley, but hopefully only off the Brewers' bats. Either way, there is no rest for the Brewers or their fans because it's back home to welcome the Giants and Diamondbacks without any off days. How will these return trips treat the Brewers? Anyone planning to turn this into your road trip of the year? View full article

The Brewers have a chance to make some movement up the standings in early August as they head to the nation's capital to face Washington. Hot-lanta awaits for the second half of the road trip. Will Milwaukee find success as they travel to the East Coast? Or will these National League rivals play spoilers? Image courtesy of Braves Construction Company, LLC Washington Nationals - August 1-3 Nationals Park - Capacity 41,339 2024 Attendance: 1,967,302 (Averaged 24,287, ranked 13th out of NL parks and 22nd overall) The Brewers came storming the capital in August 2024, but they left with their tails between their legs, having dropped a series two games-to-one against an inferior Nationals squad. Overall, the Brewers are 24-28 in the nation's capital, which makes this stretch of the dog days of summer particularly difficult. No matter how the Nationals look on paper, the Brewers struggle in this environment. One outlier is the 2021 season, which saw the Brewers sweep a three-game series. In 2004, the Montreal Expos’ story ended, and the Washington Nationals’ story began. After Major League Baseball took over the Expos, they brokered the move for baseball to return to Washington, D.C., after the town birthed and lost the Senators… twice. The Twins and Rangers can thank the city for their franchises, but the Nationals haven’t had much to be thankful for since 2019 saw them rise to the pinnacle and bring home the World Series. The days of Bryce Harper, Steven Strasburg and Juan Soto are long gone. 2025 sees the beginning of the Amed Rosario age! Most towns on the MLB circuit can provide a weekend of sights and sounds, but Washington, D.C. could easily take a week or more of a tourist’s time. August is a beautiful time to visit the city’s national monuments and museums, political landmarks, and coastal sights. After the team languished at RFK Stadium for its first four years, Nationals Park opened in 2008 with much fanfare and little flair. There isn’t a distinguishing component of the stadium, but it serves as a great venue to watch baseball along the Anacostia River. With its walkable open-air outfield concourse and its clean lines, Nationals Park focuses the attention on the actual game. With a drop in play and in attendance, will the Nationals need to re-think this strategy to attract fans? Or will this stadium continue to be a road teams’ heaven? The Nationals have had a losing record at home since that 2019 run, and opposing fans hope that momentum continues! From muggy D.C. to Hot-lanta we go! Atlanta Braves – August 4-6 Truist Park - Capacity 41,084 2024 Attendance: 3,011,765 (Averaged 37,647 - ranked 4th out of 15 NL teams, 5th overall MLB) 2024 was a good year for Brewers fans who made the trek to Atlanta. Three games, 34 runs, and three solid victories. The Brewers are 9-12 in their trips to Truist Park since it opened in 2017. Given that 2024 was a sweep for the Brewers, that should tell you how poor they usually have done in Atlanta. With the August heat baking the field, the Brewers will have to bring their best to finish this road trip strong. Baseball arrived in Atlanta from Milwaukee in 1966, but the national audience for the Braves arrived with TBS. Even a kid in the middle-of-nowhere South Dakota could watch the Braves, and this made their runs in the 1990's must-see TV. The Atlanta Fulton County Stadium we watched in 1991 made way for Turner Field (aka. Olympic Stadium) in 1997. The Braves' most recent move in 2017 took them to the suburbs, to mixed reviews. On the one hand, the Braves got a chance to build a baseball community center with neighborhood revenue-gathering machines. On the other hand, folks now need cars and cash to get to the games. Truist Park resides in a mixed-use entertainment district called “The Battery.” Designed to curate the entire baseball consumer’s experience, it's arguably the wave of the future (see also Globe Life Field in Texas). The park is clean and modern in stadium style, with Hank Aaron tributes and historic moment monuments scattered throughout. “The Freeze” (@beatthefreeze) race between innings also looks intriguing. Atlanta boasts the late Jimmy Carter's Presidential Library, MLK Jr. National Historical Park, and the Center for Puppetry Arts. I would steer clear of the puppets, but to each their own. The airport serves as a major hub, so travel to and from Atlanta shouldn't be hard, but travel to and from the ballpark will probably require renting a car or a large amount of Uber money. After this 2240 mile adventure, the Brew Crew returns home to take on the Mets and Pirates. It's the dog days of summer, but who do you think will be top dog after this road trip? View full article

The Brewers scatter for the All-Star break and immediately hit the road for their season's longest road trip. 5,154 miles of west coast baseball awaits the Brew Crew as they face the defending champion Dodgers and perennially pesky Mariners. Let's head west! Image courtesy of © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Los Angeles Dodgers – July 18-20 Dodger Stadium: Capacity 56,000 2024 Attendance: 3,941,251 (Averaged 48,657, ranked 1st in NL and 1st overall MLB) The Brewers marched into Dodger Stadium in July of 2024 and marched out one game less victorious than when they started. While the Brewers outscored the eventual World Series champions 15-12 overall, most of their offense was saved for the 9-2 finale. The Dodgers outperformed the Brewers in every facet of the game in the first two outings, taking the series on their way to taking it all. Overall, the West Coast trip to Dodgers Stadium has been a taxing one. Not just because of the state income tax but also because the Brewers have gone 34-50 in their games there. This decade has been particularly rough on the Brew Crew, having gone 2-11 on this road trip since 2020. The Dodgers got their start in the Northeast and moved westward. After the move from Brooklyn, they settled first in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but the Dodgers found their forever home in 1962 at Chavez Ravine. Beautiful, breathtaking, “an aesthetic ideal” mirroring Hollywood itself, Dodgers Stadium tops many ballpark bucket lists. The construction crew moved 8,000,000 cubic yards of rock and material amidst the natural landscape, slicing a piece of baseball heaven into place. Jackie Robinson’s presence exists inside and outside the ballpark, with statues and stories in full display. Finding affordable "good" seats can prove equally daunting, with the Dodgers being a juggernaut on the field. The Kirk Gibson Home Run Seat (section 302, right field pavilion, Row D, seat 88) stands (sits?) immortal. If you haven’t re-enacted that iconic scene from the 1988 World Series while playing baseball, softball, or whiffle ball/ping pong/ice fishing, for that matter…then you need to turn in your baseball fan card. Just turn it in. There is also the infamous Dodger Dog. Which, unsurprisingly, isn't worth the price tag. Specialty Dodger-ritas and loaded nachos, however, are worth it! Wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles this winter, but they don't directly impact the Dodger Stadium area. The scenic Malibu coastal drive will never look the same. However, travelers to LA will still have the iconic Hollywood sign, Disneyland, Rodeo Drive, the Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, and the ocean…all worth the trip in and of themselves. Some of them are free. Some of them are the opposite of free. After hopefully surviving this Dodgers series, it's time to head north up the coast to beautiful Seattle to face the Mariners. Seattle Mariners - July 21-23 T-Mobile Park: Capacity 47,929 2024 Attendance: 2,555,813 (Averaged 31,553, 7th out of 15 AL parks and 14th overall) Milwaukee last journeyed to Safeco Field in Seattle in April of 2023, and they wished they could have spent the whole year there. The three-game sweep saw the Brewers deliver with pitching, the long ball, and the small ball in an all-around effort. The Brewers have only made three road trips to Seattle post-Kingdome era, and they've won two series and lost one, to the tune of a 6-3 record overall. Milwaukee has scored five or more runs in seven of those contests, so expect to see some good offense if you go. T-Mobile Park dials up the fan experience with a retractable roof, beautiful sight lines, and stellar food and beverage options. This isn’t your grandpa’s Kingdome, for sure. Success hasn’t been a part of the Mariners’ story, but their current squad is on the way up. Established in 1977, the Mariners endured losing seasons every year until 1991. They hold the less-than-awesome honor of having never been in a World Series. So the town is hungry for change, even if the ballpark is now entering its 24th season. The park hosts the Baseball Museum of the Pacific Northwest and Mariners Hall of Fame, which pays homage to great moments in professional baseball throughout the region. The ‘Pen is a foody and pub crawler’s dream, and there is a Fan Walk with engraved bricks memorializing those who root for the squad. If you can stomach heights, the Space Needle is calling your name. The Museum of Pop Culture does seem like a worthy stop, and a person can’t be in this part of America without the temptation of a Goonies filming site pilgrimage coming up in the conversation. The Seattle Japanese Garden also looks amazing and perfect for healing and restoration, especially amid such a grueling road trip. After almost two weeks on the road, the Brewers finally return home on July 25th to face Miami and the rival Cubs. What kind of results will they bring home from this lengthy trip? View full article

The Brewers kick off July with a trip to the Big Apple to face the Mets. They then celebrate the 4th of July on South Beach against the Marlins. How will Milwaukee handle 3673 miles of travel as the season starts heating up? Image courtesy of © John Jones-Imagn Images New York Mets – July 1-3 Citi Field: Capacity 41,922 2024 Attendance: 2,329,299 (Averaged 29,484, 10th in the NL and 17th overall MLB) The Brewers swept their way into Citi Field to start the 2024 season against the Mets, and they also swept their way out of Citi Field: three games, 14 runs, and a great start to the season. The road trip to Flushing, NY, has gone very well for the Brewers, going 27-21 since 2009 in their away games at Citi Field. With the exception of a long losing streak in 2016-2017, the Brew Crew has owned the Mets on their home turf, making this a welcome addition to the July travel schedule. In 1962, the New York Mets launched their franchise, hoping to fill the void left when the Giants headed to San Francisco. 1969 brought a World Series title for the Miracle Mets, and they again reached the sport's pinnacle in 1986. Other than a brief glimpse of success, ultimately falling to the Royals in 2015, the Mets have been more of a joke than a dynasty. Steve Cohen’s purchase of the team in 2020 led fans to a false hope of big spending equaling big success. The spending happened, and nothing but dysfunction ensued until 2024. Now, there is actual hope in Mets-ville, but will it get fulfilled? Temperatures should be heating up in early July, and many of the same tourist attractions that one would catch at a Yankees game work for Mets trips. Times Square and Central Park are just a river away, and Queens and Brooklyn offer numerous cultural activities. Located just outside LaGuardia airport, Brewers travelers can fly in and find easy rideshares to the stadium or lodging. Citi Field replaced Shea Stadium in 2009, and its open concourses, intimate seating, and sightlines offer a better overall fan experience than Yankee Stadium. The atmosphere is still uniquely “New York,” from its giant apple to its Jackie Robinson rotunda; fans experience baseball at its finest…win or lose. After this series, the Brewers hop a plane and make a getaway to Miami to celebrate Independence Day. Miami Marlins - July 4-6 loanDepot Park - Capacity 37,442 2024 Attendance: 1,087,453 (Averaged 13,425 - ranked 15th out of 15 NL teams, 29th overall MLB) Milwaukee struggled to get the runs across in their May 2024 journey to Miami, losing two one-run games. In the game, they brought the offense and home the victory, too. The annual trip to South Beach is also a welcome sight to Brewers fans, though this particular journey over the 4th of July might be a bit muggy. The Brewers are 19-16 overall in their trips to loanDepot Park, even after dropping their last two series. The stadium's first season of use was in 2012 (Marlins Park), and it was renamed loanDepot Park in 2021. It has a retractable roof, so the games are guaranteed to occur, which is a must for anyone making that long of a trip to catch a ballgame! The in-stadium nightclub may have closed, and the neighborhood around LoanDepot looks more like a residential zone, but the ballpark itself is beautiful outside and inside. The best part? A visiting fan can usually get 30-dollar prime area seating. I mean, it's all for sale...and no one's buying. Cubs fans rejoice, but the stadium employees and Marlins players aren't too impressed. The World Basic Classic proved that the stadium and the community can get excited when the product on the field is competitive, but Marlins ownership isn't too keen on that being the goal. This "communidad 305" thing looks interesting. BYOInstruments? Soccer atmosphere? The fun can still occur if your team is strongly represented in the stands. Their bobblehead museum contains 400 of the old owner Jeffrey Loria's collection, but it's almost hidden behind a back outfield stairwell, so you might have to explore to find it. LoanDepot Park sits in the southern part of the city, just west of Biscayne Bay. If the roof is open, sightlines from the back of the first baseline are the place to be. If closed...go party and play instruments, I guess! At 85 degrees and sunny, it's hard to complain. The Brewers finish the first half of the season at home versus the Dodgers and Nationals before enjoying the All-Star Break from July 14-17. Will Brewers fans be starting to plan their second-half playoff run? Or will everyone be wishing they could just stay on the beach? View full article

The first trip to Wrigley occurs June 17th, and the Cubs keep on the interstate all the way to Minneapolis to face the Twins. It's the second shortest road trip of the season against two centralized foes. What awaits Brewers fans on this journey? Image courtesy of © David Berding-Imagn Images Chicago Cubs - June 17-19 Wrigley Field - Capacity 41,649 2024 Attendance: 2,909,755 (Averaged 35,922, ranked 5th in NL parks and 6th overall) The Brewers' two trips to Wrigley Field in 2024 ended in a stalemate. After dropping three straight, they won the opening affair and captured the final two outings. Milwaukee has been traveling to Wrigley Field since its 1997 American League days. Of course, 1998 immediately increased the number of road trips to Wrigleyville to 222 games. The Brewers have taken 108 of those contests, holding their own in enemy territory. Wrigley Field opened in 1914. That’s right, 110 years ago! The ivy has scaled the outfield wall since 1937, and modern expansions and lights brought the ballpark closer to the 21st Century in 1988. The jewel-box charm remains, and the neighborhood continues to offer one of the most “baseball” experiences in all of baseball. You can smell remnants of Old Style spills from decades past and experience elbow-to-elbow seating that adds to the ambiance. How can you find fault with having a stadium where home runs can leave the ballpark, brick walls can be run into, and people on rooftops can pay more for their tickets than people behind home plate? The Cubs have grown from their lovable losers vibe, finally reversing the curse and winning a World Series 2016. The most recent iterations have flirted with success but couldn’t escape the rebuild cycle following such a formidable championship run. Hopefully, the Brewers can keep the Cubs rebuilding for at least one more season with a strong showing in Chicago before they head across the border to face the Twins. Minnesota Twins - June 20-22 Target Field - Capacity 38,544 2024 Attendance: 1,951,616 (Averaged 24,094, ranked 10th in AL parks, and 23rd overall) In the two-game set at Target Field in 2024, the Brewers and Twins locked into a 1-1 pitchers' duel in the first game before the battle of the bullpens when completely Milwaukee's way for an 8-4 victory in extras. Another eight runs in game two kept the Brewers in front for an 8-7 victory and a two-game road sweep. In the 37 meetings between the Brewers and the Twins at Target Field, the Brewers have only come away victorious 16 times. 2024 was great, but before then, the Brewers hadn't won a series in Minneapolis since 2018. It's tough to gain ground with a two-game series, but that's the interleague plan for these cross-border rivals for the foreseeable future. Since opening in 2010, Target Field has brought many exciting events to the downtown Minneapolis neighborhood. From concerts to playoff action, from the 2014 All-Star Game to the NHL Winter Classic to local college football games, Target Field offers the frozen citizens of the Twin Cities an outdoor space to enjoy their favorite sports. This stadium features elements of its home state, from the stonework to the new fishing pier-themed seating section called "The Dock." At the ballpark, fans are treated to beautiful scenes of the downtown skyline, a living batter's eye in the center, and plenty of concourse space to feast and mingle on a summer evening. The Timberwolves play just a skyway down the street; entertainment is everywhere in the neighborhood. The Mall of America is just a light rail away, with plenty of activities and an amusement park. Local museums and the Mississippi River offer intrepid travelers plenty of options to spend an afternoon before an evening game. The Brewers travel well to Chicago and Minneapolis, and word has it that beer consumption at Target Field almost doubles for Brewers games. Will this be in celebration or mourning after this crucial mid-summer road trip? What say you, Brewer Fanatics? View full article

The Brewers head east again to end May and to begin June, with a road trip to Philadelphia and Cincinnati. What awaits the Brew Crew in these battles with familiar foes, besides the delicious food? Image courtesy of © Sam Greene / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Philadelphia Phillies - May 30-Jun. 1 Citizens Bank Park - Capacity 42,901 2024 Attendance: 3,363,712 (Averaged 41,527, 2nd out of 15 NL parks and 3rd overall) At the moment of their June 2024 trip to Philadelphia, the Brewers were 36-23, but the Phillies were five games stronger in the standings. By the end of the three games, the Brewers were 36-26, and the Phillies had a broom in their hands. The Brewers managed only two runs, which becomes even more frustrating to Brewer Fanatics when you realize the Phanatics only scored seven runs. The Brewers lost 3-1, 2-1, and 2-0. Milwaukee has been road-tripping to Citizens Bank Park since 2004, and in the 71 total games there (counting the 2008 NLDS), the Brewers have only won 31 and have lost 40. This illustrates how difficult this annual road trip has been, but Brewers fans should take heart in the fact that since 2018, Milwaukee has actually won four of the six series overall. So, there is a light in the darkness. I was surprised to discover that the Phillies have lost more games than any other American sports franchise. I only seem to remember the captivating squads of the 1990s, and the World Series-attending teams of recent history. However, the giant former home of the Phillies, Veterans Stadium, often saw nothing but epic disappointment. At 67,000, Veterans Stadium had the capacity for greatness, and the vibe of concrete sterility. In 2004, the team began a new chapter with the more intimate and contemporary Citizens Bank Park. The seating at Citizens Bank is described as “sitting over the field,” and the unique wind tunnel alleyways and small left- and right-field corners set the stage for home runs and excitement. Opposing fans can get up close and personal with the visitor’s bullpen in left-center field, or just hang out and listen to the Phillies fans give them grief. Of all of the stadiums that I researched, this one seems to be the least hospitable to away team jerseys, and presence in general. Attendees beware! The ballpark also seems to be set up for prime standing-room-only options, and its main food vendors exist in the open outfield concourse. There’s a kid’s Wiffle Ball field beyond right field, and a Wall of Fame in left. And of course, keep your head on a swivel, unless you want to get accosted by the Phillie Phanatic. Philadelphia itself oozes history and abounds in tourist destinations. The start of American democracy and government; the pursuit of freedom and liberty; and the origins of the great cheesesteak all find their home here. You can pretend you are Rocky as you run the steps of the Museum of Art, or just sit there and watch other people exhaust themselves trying. Don't wear yourself out, however, because you still need to travel 573 back west to Cincinnati, to take on the Reds. Cincinnati Reds – June 2-4 Great American Ballpark - Capacity 43,500 2024 Attendance: 2,024,178 (Averaged 24,989 - ranked 12th out of 15 NL teams, 21st overall MLB) The Brewers made two trips to Cincinnati in 2024, and they wish that they could have made a hundred of them. (Maybe your cardiologist would disagree, but Wisconsinites and their cardiologists aren't mean to see eye-to-eye, anyway.) Milwaukee took two of three in April, and three of four in August for a 5-2 record overall at Great American Ballpark. It's just that some of them were stressful. Overall, the Brewers are 95-92 in Cincinnati since 2003, and that kind of success will need to continue if they are to continue to stay atop the division standings. There really isn't any rhyme or reason to their success, they just have it. So the odds are currently in the favor of Brewers fans, if they want to make the road trip to see their team on the shores of the Ohio River. Home to baseball’s oldest franchise (er, kind of), Great American Ball Park didn't open until the team had been kicking for a good 125 years. With a list of legendary players behind it, the team boasts a history of success, and has a Hall of Fame of its own to prove it. Like many teams, however, that history seems to stop in the 1990s. Cincinnati has only reached the playoffs five times in the last 30 seasons, and if you don't count the COVID season of 2020, they haven't been there since 2013. Great American offers contemporary fans a baseball-specific venue, as opposed to the hideous multi-use Riverfront Stadium, with waterfront views and quirky vibes. The higher up you sit, the better the view of both game and landscape. With wide concourses, sparse crowds and five levels of seating, finding a place to enjoy the game shouldn’t be an issue. When in town, cultural highlights include the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Art Museum. Findlay Market’s beer gardens open on gameday, and riverboat cruises offer a unique way to spend the time between games. Following this week-long road trip, the Brewers return to Milwaukee for a marathon home stand featuring 10 games against three colossal squads: San Diego, the team from suburban Cobb County in Georgia, and St. Louis. With that gauntlet of competition waiting at the end of this lengthy road trip, do you think the Brewers will be able to make a move against the Phillies and Reds? Or will they come back with full bellies and broken spirits? View full article

The Brewers face a four-game heat check in the middle of May, when they invade PNC Park in hopes of squashing the hopes and dreams of the upstart Pittsburgh Pirates. What awaits the Brew Crew when they attempt to seize the treasure of division supremecy? Image courtesy of Image courtesy of © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Pittsburgh Pirates – May 22-25 PNC Park - Capacity 38,747 2024 Attendance: 1,720,361 (Averaged 21,239 - ranked 14th out of 15 NL teams, 25th overall MLB) In 2024, the Brewers took a road trip to Pittsburgh in April and September, and they came away with a four-game split and a three-game series victory for a 4-3 record overall at PNC Park. It was feast or famine for the Brewers offense, with all three losses involving Brewer droughts of two runs or less. The Brewers have been traveling to PNC Park since 2001, and in the 205 games there, the Brew Crew has won 95 of the contests and lost 110 of them. This is a typical road trip result, and a wash should be expected for this NL Central rivalry. With the unbalanced schedule, the Brewers were able to make some serious moves up the standings in 2019 and 2021 in Pittsburgh against the lowly Pirates, but it looks like the "lowly" days are done in Pittsburgh. The 2024 Pirates squad stayed in the mix for most of the season but faltered down the stretch. With stud pitching prospect Paul Skenes making his MLB debut, the 2025 squad seeks to transition from overperforming youth to tested veterans. The infield duo of Ke'Bryan Hayes and Oneil Cruz looks to take the next step, and Pirates fans began to show their appreciation for a team on the rise. PNC Park consistently makes the Top 10 lists for its scenic beauty and baseball viewing sightlines. When it opened in 2001, its city-centered orientation and river views awed baseball fans (while the product on the field left something to be desired). Now that the team has a squad to match the view, attendance should continue to climb. Visiting fans will find hospitable hosts, but Twins fans shouldn’t expect too much success at the end of such a grueling road trip. Hopefully, a few “raised Jolly Rogers” won’t pirate the Cubs’ playoff hopes for the season. Pittsburgh has plenty to offer a baseball tourist, from its downtown atmosphere of food and entertainment to the Andy Warhol and Roberto Clemente Museums. It might be on the chilly side in early Spring, but it is the perfect time of year to walk about the city and take in the unique landscape. Win or lose, the Brewers must scurry back to Milwaukee for a short three-game series against the Boston Red Sox the next day. There is no rest for the wicked; hopefully, that's how the Pirates describe the Brewers after this series. View full article

Brewers fans get to experience minor league ballpark intimacy with major league results on the fourth road trip of the season. The Brew Crew takes on Tampa in the outdoors for once before heading back north to tackle the defending AL Central champs. What should Brewers fans expect on this journey? Image courtesy of © Karen Schiely via Imagn Content Services, LLC Tampa Bay Rays - May 9-11 George M. Steinbrenner Field - Capacity 11,026 2024 Attendance (at Tropicana Field): 1,337,739 (Averaged 16,515, 14th out of 15 AL parks and 28th overall) When the Brewers traveled to Tampa in May of 2023, they had started the season 23-20, but the Rays were storming out of the gate with 32 wins and only 13 losses. Milwaukee got a gem from Adrian Houser in the opener, but the Rays scraped their lone run together off of Peter Strzelecki in the eighth, and the Brewers never touched Shane McClanahan and the bullpen in a 0-1 loss. Game two saw the offense return, but the result remained the same in a 4-8 loss. Finally, the Brewers salvaged a win with some home run power in a 6-4 victory in what turned out to be the last game the Brewers would play at Tropicana Field. The first game the Brewers played at the Trop on June 13, 2005, was witnessed by 8,858 fans in the seats. Their final game on May 21, 2023, had a rousing 20,193 attendance. Overall, the Brewers went 7-7 there, with the only series victory coming in a two-game sweep in 2022, thanks to six home runs and just enough pitching. On paper, putting Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay made sense. As the Yankees' spring training home, it already houses a major league team for two months each year, so why not put an actual franchise in town? In 1998, the Tampa/St. Pete metro area got its own ballclub: the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They celebrated by losing at least 90 games in their first ten seasons! Then, after a 2008 name change to the Rays (think “sunshine,” not “seafood”), the tide turned in many respects. Their first World Series appearance and a constant stream of small market success stories defined the next decade. Attendance, however, never followed suit except for the occasional playoff run. Tropicana Field boasted the notorious label of “unattractive” and “nondescript.” A concrete dome, with Astroturf (which even the Astros stopped using), optical illusions from the seating arrangement, and catwalks that giveth and taketh away. But apparently, the game experience itself could be a lot of fun. Dancing grounds crews, a live ray tank in the outfield (think “seafood,” not “sunshine”), a Ted Williams and Hitters Halls of Fame, and plenty of room to roam made the Tropicana experience a good buy. If you could time the series right, you can also catch a few minor league games in the area while you were there. The "Trop" embodied quirky baseball, but thanks to hurricane-force winds and a stadium dispute that strangled any motivation for repairs, it now stands roofless, leaving more questions than answers about the future of the franchise in the area. That leads the Brewers to George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the rival Yankees and the minor league home to the Yankee's Single-A Tampa Tarpons. Don't the Rays have their own spring training site in Port Charlotte? It is too far to travel, and there are worse amenities, supposedly. With a capacity of less than their average attendance in 2024 and with a ballpark that is (finally) easily accessible to citizens of Tampa, the Rays look to raise some prices, make some cash, and most likely vacate town. The landscape and tourism industry of Tampa took a hit with Hurricane Milton. However, the Salvador Dali Museum, the Sunken Gardens, and the Florida Aquarium are still worth the trip, and the Big Cat Rescue is also pretty sweet. Hopefully, you can find a way to get your tickets early because these games will be sold out by February. Hopefully, the Brewers can make hay in Tampa while the sun shines because Cleveland is their next stop. Cleveland Guardians - May 12-14 Progressive Field – Capacity 34,830 2024 attendance: 2,056,264 (Averaged 26,028, ranked 9th out of 15 AL parks, 20th overall MLB) The Brewers last journeyed to Progressive Field in 2023, and they came away winning the series two games to one thanks to Willy Adames being unstoppable and a 10th-inning squeaker in the finale. The Brewers' first trip to Progressive Field in 1994 was as an American League divisional rival, and therefore, they have a longer history at the ballpark compared to other AL destinations. They've gone 21-23 in Cleveland over the past three decades and have won five of six there since the Covid, empty stadium season. Baseball in Cleveland began in 1894. This trip's destination, however, is the most current iteration of Cleveland baseball: Progressive Field. I grew up memorizing Major League and even parts of Major League 2 (no shame). This stadium isn’t Municipal Stadium, but it’s been around a while nonetheless. Progressive Field opened for business in 1994, and 2019 brought an extensive concourse renovation at the 200 level with entertainment spaces and open walkways. The Guardians rebrand brought them back to the top of the AL Central, and the future looks bright for the organization. A trip to the southern tip of Lake Erie brings plenty to see and do. Built downtown, with plenty of surrounding neighborhood options for food and drink and a consistently winning team, Progressive Field can be well attended when the team is winning, so Brewers fans should be aware if they plan to catch these games. Cleveland boasts the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and several neighborhood eating highlights. A short drive to Canton brings the Pro Football Hall of Fame into the mix, while lake and outdoor activities are also available. One unique attribute and history that carries on is John Adam’s Drum. This dedicated fan brought the “thump” to every game since 1973 but hadn’t been in attendance since Covid started. He passed away in 2023, but his tradition carries on. One of his original drums is now enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. After this trip, the Brewers return home for three games against the rival Twins and three against the young and talented Orioles. Will they find a way to stack some victories in this odd and difficult road trip? Or will the Rays and Guardians put a hurt on the Brew Crew? What do you predict, Brewer Fanatics? View full article

To close out the last two weeks of April, the Brewers will embark on a three-city cross-country road trip from the Pacific Ocean to the Heartland to Lake Erie. What awaits the team and its faithful on this San Francisco to St. Louis to Cleveland gauntlet? Image courtesy of © Robert Edwards-Imagn Images San Francisco Giants – April 21-24 Oracle Park: Capacity 41,265 2024 Attendance: 2,647,736 (Averaged 33,096, 7th out of 15 NL parks, and 10th overall MLB) When the Brewers journeyed to San Fransisco Bay to take on the Giants in September of 2024, they needed to win the series, and they did, taking two out of three with a rare Colin Rea blow-up in the middle game. Overall, the West Coast trip to San Francisco hasn't gone well for Milwaukee, as they have a 32-47 record at Oracle Park since it opened in 2000. In an odd twist of statistics, the series that takes place after the middle of July tends to end up in Brewers victories. Can the Brewers break that cycle this April? Baseball and San Francisco have a long history, but the most recent iteration dates back to 1957, when the New York Giants joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in heading west for new and greener financial grasses. The Dodgers and Giants have kept the rivalry ridiculously strong, and both have seen great success in recent decades. In 1989, the Giants were preparing to host the Athletics at Candlestick Park for Game 3 of the World Series when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck and tragically shook the series. Barry Bonds infamously broke records into the bay in the 2000s, and championships finally arrived in the 2010s, with three titles in six seasons. Oracle Park opened in 2000, and people have been raving about it ever since. Whether it’s the temperate and pleasant weather, the majestic views of the San Francisco Bay and McCovey Cove and its baseball-hunting kayakers, or the food and beverage options that are second to none… Oracle Park is a must-see destination. Baseball travelers will find the wharf and its many attractions and seafood restaurants to be fun, while the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz never disappoint. From San Francisco, the Brewers head due East to the land of the Clydesdales and their NL Central rival Cardinals. St. Louis Cardinals - April 25-27 Busch Stadium - Capacity 44,383 2024 Attendance: 2,869,783 (Averaged 35,872, ranked 6th out of 15 NL parks, 7th overall MLB) The Brewers owned the Cardinals at Busch Stadium in 2024 until they didn't. After stealing a 10-inning victory to kick off their April series, the Brew Crew swept those three games and took game one of the August return series. A blown save and extra inning loss turned the tide and they dropped the finale without much of a fight to go 4-2 overall in St. Louis in 2024. Since the newest iteration of Busch Stadium emerged in 2006, the Brewers have played 163 games against their rivals and have come away from the road trips surprisingly close to all-square with a 79-84 record. The Brewers have come away from St. Louis road trips with more wins than losses each year since fans started filing the stands again in 2021. St. Louis’s baseball history can be traced back to 1882. Eleven World Series trophies later, the Cardinals remain elite among fan bases and maintain baseball cultural icon status. The current Busch Stadium is the third iteration, providing a scenic view of the downtown skyline and this noble heritage. Built in 2006, it sports a Ballpark Village neighborhood attraction and a Hall of Fame Museum. Brewery tours, trips up to the top of the Arch, BBQ and BBQ and more BBQ, and time spent feasting on baseball in the heartland. What could be better? The majestic views past the outfield concourse give the stadium its style points. The red seats and Clydesdales provide the ambiance, and the fans provide the support. The Cardinals have benefited from being the only game in town for a region that stretches from Oklahoma to Alabama, Indiana to Colorado. Their radio signal strength established a fan base, and their open wallet and excellent farm system have set them up to be contenders most seasons, so the last two seasons' strife is regarded as an anomaly, and their fan base is hungry for redemption. From the heart of St. Louis, the Brewers finally get an off day before they continue to face their closest American League neighbor. It’s on to Rate Field (yes, that's its stupid, real name now) for a date with the rival White Sox. Chicago White Sox - April 29-May 1 Rate Field - Capacity 40,615 2024 Attendance - 1,380,733 (Averaged 17,931, ranked 13th out of 15 AL teams, 27th overall MLB) The Brewers last took a road trip past Wrigley to the White Sox lair in 2023, which went very well for the Crew. A three-game sweep in mid-August helped them climb the standings, and more hopeful victories await as they travel to Chicago in early 2025 to face a hapless Sox squad. Milwaukee's trips to the South Side haven't been in their best interest, going 24-36 since 1991. While the Brewers have taken the last two series there, the only time they traveled back up I-94 with more wins than losses was in 1997. The artist formerly known as New Comiskey Park, The “Cell,” and Guaranteed Rate has been around since 1991, but South Side Chicago American League baseball has been cooking since 1901. While the current stadium sits in a residential area, it carries a “big” stadium vibe compared to its North Side counterpart. Sharing an owner allows you also to buy Bulls gear at the ballpark if you are into that sort of thing. The upper deck leans into the “upper” half of its name, while the bleachers get hot… but probably not in March and early April. In the 2000s, a person could shower on the outfield walkway. I’m not sure who thought that was a great idea, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t try it out one blistering August afternoon. Lake Michigan, Soldier Field, Museum Campus, Sears Tower, and the Magnificent Mile. The smell of the L-Train platforms wafting in the Lake Shore breeze. The early-season angst of White Sox fans. With the Sox still in full rebuild mode, I’m guessing there should be quite a few good seats available for a cheap rate (pun intended). From there, the Brewers finally journey home to face their bigger Chicago rival, the pesky Astros. What kind of record will the Brewers take home with them? How do you think this epic road trip will leave the Brewers standing? View full article