C.C. Sabathia came up big for the Brewers.
CC Sabathia and Ryan Braun put the Milwaukee Brewers in the playoffs for the first time since 1982 — with big help from the New York Mets.
Making his third consecutive start on three days’ rest, Sabathia pitched a four-hitter and Braun hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning to lead the Brewers over the Chicago Cubs 3-1 Sunday.
The Brewers, who fired manager Ned Yost with only two weeks left to go, won the NL wild card less than a half-hour later when the Mets lost to Florida 4-2. Milwaukee (90-72) and New York (89-73) went into the final day of the regular season tied.
Meanwhile, the New York Mets choked again.
As for Sabathia, he’s been incredible for the Brewers. After numerous sub-par performances for the Cleveland Indians last year in the playoffs, some of us have questioned whether Sabathia would become a big game pitcher. He has all the tools, but he often seemed to fold under the pressure. In this penant race he’s been able to answer all his critics. Now, let’s see how he does this year in the playoffs.
