The Post’s Dan Martin breaks down five things to know about the Brewers before their NL Wild Card Series against the Mets:
Familiar face
If the Mets are upset about facing a strong team in Milwaukee, they largely have their own boss to blame, as president of baseball operations David Stearns built much of the Brewers roster before he eventually came home to run the Mets.
Stearns’ right-hand man, Matt Arnold, took over in Milwaukee last season and the Brewers have made the playoffs in six of the past seven years.
New face in the dugout
As the Brewers rose to the top of the NL Central on a regular basis, it was manager Craig Cousell who was in the dugout — until this season.
Counsell left Milwaukee after last season for a big contract with the Cubs and his bench coach, Pat Murphy, took over.
The Brewers, though, haven’t missed a beat.
What MVP?
While the Mets dealt with Francisco Lindor’s brief absence due to a back injury, the Brewers have been without their own MVP candidate, Christian Yelich, since July with his own back woes.
Rookie Jackson Chourio has helped make up for Yelich’s absence, as the 20-year-old has been one of the best young players in the league.
Payroll
The lazy narrative would be that it’s big, bad New York versus middle of nowhere Milwaukee, but the Steve Cohen-led Mets do have MLB’s highest payroll, while the Brewers are 21st, according to Spotrac.
Public enemy No. 1
It doesn’t matter if Rhys Hoskins is in Philadelphia or Milwaukee, he gives the Mets trouble.
Most recently, it came in the form of a grand slam against them on Friday — which temporarily put a dent in their postseason hopes.
And just for kicks, maybe ex-Yankee flameout Gary Sanchez, now Milwaukee’s primary DH, can make some October magic.
