Following a promising 2017, the Rockies and Brewers believed they were on the cusp of breakout campaigns. Colorado had returned to the playoffs for the first time in eight years, and Milwaukee fared better than expected by falling a game short of a postseason berth.
This past winter, each front office doubled down on their belief in 2018. But even with similar mindsets and footing entering this season, the playoffs highlighted the differing effectiveness of the offseason moves made by each big-league underdog, small-market Milwaukee and mid-market (but geographically isolated) Colorado.
Simply stated, the Brewers are battling the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series because of those winter deals.