Like last year, we are rolling out the rooting guide for all Brewers fans when it comes to the National League and American League. How I judge this is based off a few things – 1. Do they have any former Brewers on the team worth mentioning? 2. Is there any reason we, as Brewers fans, should hate their guts? 3. What’s their World Series drought look like? The third one plays into that ‘never been there before’ which fits with Milwaukee’s culture being there only once.

5. Chicago Cubs
Notable Former Brewers: None
Last World Series Title: 2016

There’s a podcast coming out in a couple hours that basically explains what a relief it is to hate the Cubs again. I do play nice with our neighbors from the South, but it feels so good to actually not want to see them prosper. There’s no talk of a curse and no talk of people wanting them to win. Trust me if the Cubs win back-to-back, their fan base will grow in size and become more insufferable.

4. Colorado Rockies
Notable former Brewers: Jonathan Lucroy
Last World Series title: None (Appeared in 2007)

Rockies return to the postseason for the first time since 2009. The combination of Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon will get a taste of the postseason. Once again, Jonathan Lucroy will be playing for a playoff squad. He’s fallen off a bit but came up with a few big hits down the stretch. Besides Arenado and Chuck Nasty, this team does not excite me much.

3. Washington Nationals
Notable former Brewers: Brandon Kintzler, Adam Lind
Last World Series title: None (Zero appearances)

A part of me wants to fuel my hate towards Dusty Baker and put these guys at four, but I cannot do that. They are the only team in the National League without a World Series appearance. Washington DC has not seen a finals appearances since the Capitals did it in 1998. The city is starved for glory, yet, it will be tough with Baker known for his colossal fuckups in October. The health of Max Schrezer is another thing to worry about for Washington. Nice to see Kintzler and Lind be factors for this team.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers
Notable former Brewers: None
Last World Series title: 1988

It’s been 29 years since Los Angeles had a World Series team. They have all of the tools to be a World Series team with a kickass rotation and a dynamite lineup yet will it be enough? Dodgers ran out of steam in September posting the worst record in a baseball at a time. They figured it out somewhat but never found their mojo again. A feather in the Brewers’ hat may be disrupting this whole thing from happening.

1. Arizona Diamondbacks
Notable former Brewers: Zack Greinke
Last World Series title: 2001

Sure, Arizona has a ring unlike Washington. Sure, the Diamondbacks are run by Tony La Russa, and I would hate to see that fucking drunk get any credit. But they have Zack Greinke. Spoiler alert about the American League, but the Yankees will get a CC bump. Diamondbacks are fun as hell with mashers like J.D. Martinez, A.J. Pollack and others.

Charlie.