Milwaukee Brewers must make big trade to "get over the hump" in NL pennant race

The Milwaukee Brewers have won the NL Central in three consecutive seasons. With a commanding six-game lead over the Chicago Cubs as the second half gets underway, they are in prime position to secure their fourth division title in a row.

As the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline nears, Milwaukee has a clear mission: How can it finally capture the National League Pennant that has always eluded them? For Hall of Famer CC Sabathia, it’s crucial that the Brewers make an impact trade.

[I] hope the Brewers make a trade. This would be the time. The last three, four years, they’ve been the best team during the regular season … but can’t get over the hump in October.

Last season, the Brewers fell short when the Los Angeles Dodgers swept them in the NLCS. They lost in the NL Wild Card series in consecutive years before that. They came closest to a World Series berth in 2018, but fell to the Dodgers in seven games.

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CC Sabathia evaluates the AL Central as the trade deadline looms, sharing why it “makes no sense” for the Tigers to keep ace Tarik Skubal and how the Twins have “a chance” to win the division.

Milwaukee already boasts Jacob Misiorowski, who is making his case as the frontrunner for this year’s NL Cy Young Award, and an MLB-best team ERA (3.41). Sabathia believes it can get even better with potential additions to the rotation and bullpen.

If you could make a trade for a [Tarik] Skubal, even [Mason] Miller at the backend of your bullpen — that could help you … I think the only way you can beat the Dodgers is by having a pitching staff [like that].

“The Brewers make a big trade and go out and give the Dodgers a run for their money,” he said. “I think that has to happen.”

Milwaukee will look to continue its second-half surge this weekend when it faces the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday Leadoff at 3 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN.

New episodes with CC and Ahmed Fareed drop every Wednesday on NBC Sports NOW, NBCSN, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.