Not only did you win the division, you crushed it.”But was he right that “no one” had the Brewers in the race? ESPN’s Opening Day season preview projected Milwaukee around .500 — about 80–82 wins, with 28.9% playoff odds and just 0.5% World Series odds. MLB.com’s staff poll called the NL Central the closest vote of any division — but the Cubs edged the Brewers. Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA system pegged Milwaukee at 80–82 wins and about 23% playoff odds, again trailing Chicago. So, while a handful of analysts did put Milwaukee on top, the overwhelming consensus was that the Cubs would win the Central.