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Mookie Betts reveals what makes Brewers legit World Series contenders: ‘Good recipe over there’
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Another series, another sweep for the Milwaukee Brewers, as they took down the Pittsburgh Pirates, 12-5, on Wednesday night.
That win made it 12 in a row for the team with the best record in MLB at 76-44.
If you were to ask any baseball fan entering the season who would have the league’s best record as the year turns toward the postseason, it’s likely they wouldn’t have said the Brewers. But that’s the beautiful thing about the game – any team can emerge as not just a surprise winner, but a juggernaut poised for a World Series run.
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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick (10) celebrates as Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Blake Perkins (16) prepares to cross home plate against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth inning at American Family Field. (Michael McLoone/Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers eight-time All-Star Mookie Betts admitted Milwaukee wasn’t really on his mind at the start of the season. But after playing against them, he can totally understand where this success has come from.
“At first, you’re a little surprised like, ‘Wow, they’re doing really well. They do all facets well.’ But when you play against them, you really see why. They have starting pitching, they have relieving, and they have speed, defense, timely hitting. They have belief in each other – you can definitely see they believe in each other. That’s a close-knit group over there.”
While the Brewers may be considered a surprise team in 2025, Betts reminded everyone that they’ve been quite successful in recent seasons.
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“The Brewers have always been a really good ballclub. They’ve always been around the bubble, they’ve been in the playoffs a lot,” he said.
Milwaukee won the NL Central division in each of the last two campaigns and figures to make it three by the end of this regular season. And they’ve made the postseason in six of their last seven seasons.
So, the success has always been there, but the closest they have come to the World Series has been Game 7 of the 2018 NLCS, ultimately losing to the Dodgers. Betts wasn’t on the team at the time, but rather beat them as a member of the Boston Red Sox to secure his first of three World Series Rings.
Since that NLCS appearance, the Brewers have only made it as far as the NLDS. They’ve lost in the NL Wild Card round in each of the past two seasons, including a crushing Game 3 loss that came to the surging New York Mets, who made it all the way to the NLCS.
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski throws to the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game on Friday, June 20, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Now, Betts thinks things are different in Milwaukee, and he pointed to one facet of the game in particular.
“They really have a good recipe over there, but their pitching staff is really, really good. When you have pitching, you can have a chance to win everything,” he said.
Pitching is key, especially when October rolls around. One great start, or shutdown pieces in the bullpen, can be the difference between moving on in a series or heading home.
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The Brewers own the league’s third-best team ERA (3.59), which isn’t far behind the league’s-best Texas Rangers (3.32) and San Diego Padres (3.55).
In the starting rotation, Freddy Peralta has been pitching like a true ace with a 2.90 ERA over 136.2 innings, striking out 148 batters while walking only 50 over that span. But 24-year-old Quinn Priester’s breakout season has been a joy to watch, as he owns a 3.49 ERA over a career-high 118.2 innings. Jose Quintana (3.44 ERA), Chad Patrick (3.52 ERA) and the flame-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski (2.70 ERA over 33.1 innings) have all been solid options for the Brewers in the rotation this year.
Then, when it’s time to shut the door on the opponent, the Brewers can count on closer Trevor Megill to end it. He has 28 saves in 44 games this season with a 2.20 ERA (41 innings). He earned himself his first career All-Star nod because of how great of a season he’s having, though he did post a 2.72 ERA in 2024 over 48 games.
“They just find ways to do it, they find ways to get things done. They play small ball, they hit home runs. They kinda do everything,” Betts added.
When it comes to hitting, Christian Yelich is playing like the bona fide All-Star he needs to be if the Brewers want to go far in the postseason. He’s slashing .266/.344/.456 with a team-leading 23 home runs and 81 RBI.
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz (3) and second baseman Brice Turang (2) celebrate after a victory over the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning at Truist Park. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
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But there’s young life in the lineup, too, as Jackson Chourio continues to shine with Yelich in the outfield, hitting .276 while slugging .474 with 17 homers and 29 doubles on the year. From Williams Contreras to Rhys Hoskins, to Brice Turang, to Sal Frelick, and the list goes on, these Brewers are relentless when it’s their turn to produce offense.
Will that last through an October postseason run? If it does, it won’t be a surprise to Betts and the rest of MLB.
The Dodgers have lost all six of their games against the Brewers this season.
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Cricket’s return to the Olympic Games after 128 years reached an “important milestone” Wednesday when construction began on the new Los Angeles 2028 cricket venue.
International Cricket Council (ICC ) Chairman Jay Shah and other officials took part in a ground-breaking ceremony on the Fairplex Grounds in Pomona, Los Angeles County.
“Our focus has been on expanding the footprint of cricket and being part of the Olympic movement is something that brings both pride and dreams with it,” said Shah.
“The groundbreaking marks an important milestone in cricket’s return to the Olympics and is a proud moment for all ICC members and stakeholders worldwide.”
ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta said the Games would be a significant step in expanding the game outside of its traditional heartlands.
“The momentum for our game has never been stronger, with strong participation growth across the world,” he said.
The inclusion of cricket at LA28 provides a platform to inspire more young people to take up the game, the ICC said, and broaden the fan base across continents, accelerating the game’s global growth.
Cricket at the Los Angeles Games will feature T20 competitions for both men’s and women’s teams.
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As the madness of March ends, the NBA postseason begins.
Let’s check out the odds for the first round of the playoffs, at DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 23.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
EAST FIRST ROUND
No. 8 ORLANDO (+210) vs. No. 1 DETROIT (-255)
Tied 1-1
GAME 3 — DET @ ORL (April 25)
Spread: Pistons -2.5
Moneyline: Pistons -148, Magic +124
O/U: 213.5
What to know: Orlando got what it needed, splitting on Detroit’s home floor by winning Game 1. Will it take enough momentum back to its home arena? The Magic went 25-15 at home during the regular season and split two games against the Pistons in Orlando.
No. 7 PHILADELPHIA (+380) vs. No. 2 BOSTON (-500)
Tied 1-1
GAME 3 — BOS @ PHI (April 24)
Spread: Celtics -7.5
Moneyline: Celtics -298, 76ers +240
O/U: 215.5
What to know: Without Joel Embiid, the Sixers have a new dynamic duo in Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe. The two combined for 59 points in Philly’s Game 2 win, including 11 3-pointers.
No. 6 ATLANTA (+155) vs. No. 3 NEW YORK (-185)
Tied 1-1
GAME 3 — NYK @ ATL (April 23)
Spread: Hawks -1.5
Moneyline: Hawks -110, Hawks -110
O/U: 216.5
What to know: The first two games were decided by a combined 12 points. Hawks guard CJ McCollum has been dominant, averaging 29 points on almost 55% shooting.
No. 5 TORONTO (+900) vs. No. 4 CLEVELAND (-1600)
CLE leads 2-0
GAME 3 — CLE @ TOR (April 23)
Spread: Cavs -3.5
Moneyline: Cavs -155, Raptors +130
O/U: 219.5
What to know: Toronto just hasn’t been in this series so far, which is a bit surprising, considering it swept Cleveland in the regular season. Brandon Ingram isn’t helping the Raptors’ cause, averaging 12 points on 33.3% shooting through two games.
WEST FIRST ROUND
No. 8 PHOENIX (+6000) vs. No. 1 OKLAHOMA CITY (-20000)
OKC leads 2-0
GAME 3 — OKC @ PHX (April 25)
Spread: Thunder -9.5
Moneyline: Thunder -455, Suns +350
O/U: 215.5
What to know: This one is shaping up to be a blowout, but there is cause for concern in OKC, after Jalen Williams suffered a hamstring injury in Game 2. However, on the season, the Thunder went 39-10 without their second star.
No. 7 PORTLAND (+350) vs. No. 2 SAN ANTONIO (-475)
Tied 1-1
GAME 3 — SAS @ POR (April 24)
Spread: Spurs -1.5
Moneyline: Spurs -130, Blazers +110
O/U: 220.5
What to know: How long will Victor Wembanyama be out? He suffered a concussion in Game 2, and is in concussion protocol, which almost assures he will miss multiple games. The Spurs went 12-6 without Wemby this season.
No. 6 MINNESOTA (+190) vs. No. 3 DENVER (-230)
Tied 1-1
GAME 3 — DEN @ MIN (April 23)
Spread: Nuggets -2.5
Moneyline: Nuggets -135, Wolves +114
O/U: 233.5
What to know: After the Wolves stole Game 2 in Denver, Jaden McDaniels said the Nuggets were full of “bad defenders.” Now it’s getting spicy. Through two games, Rudy Gobert has done a good job on Nikola Jokić, who is averaging 24.5 points on 48.7% shooting, 14 rebounds and 9.5 assists through two games. Pedestrian numbers for the Joker. Jokić is also 3-for-14 from 3 in the series.
No. 5 HOUSTON (+115) vs. No. 4 LA LAKERS (-135)
LAL leads 2-0
GAME 3 — LAL @ HOU (April 24)
Spread: Rockets -9.5
Moneyline: Rockets -395, Lakers +310
O/U: 205.5
What to know: Houston was heavily favored coming into this series, considering Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are injured. But Kevin Durant missed Game 1 for Houston, and then he saw unlimited double-teams in Game 2, which helped the Lakers take control of the series and win both games at home.
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Fernando Mendoza is the biggest name, but not the only big name in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Let’s check out the Over/Under odds (at DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 22) for where some of the biggest names in this year’s draft might land.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
Ty Simpson
Alabama — QB
Over 24.5: -270 (bet $10 to win $13.70 total)
Under 24.5: +195 (bet $10 to win $29.50 total)
What to know: Only two quarterbacks went in the first round last season, after the first three picks of the 2024 NFL Draft were QBs. The last Alabama QB to go in the first round was Bryce Young back in 2023, when he was selected No. 1 by the Panthers. Simpson is heavily favored (-2500) to be the second quarterback off the board in 2026.
Jeremiyah Love
Notre Dame — RB
Over 5.5: +275 (bet $10 to win $37.50 total)
Under 5.5: -400 (bet $10 to win $12.50 total)
What to know: The last time a running back went in the top five was back in 2018, when the Giants selected Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick. Ashton Jeanty went sixth to the Raiders last season.
Sonny Styles
Ohio State — LB
Over 5.5: -150 (bet $10 to win $16.67 total)
Under 5.5: +115 (bet $10 to win $21.50 total)
What to know: The last linebacker to go in the top five just so happens to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, Will Anderson Jr. He went to the Texans with the third pick in 2023. Now, Anderson mostly plays edge rusher for Houston.
Sonny Styles of Ohio State (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Carnell Tate
Ohio State — WR
Over 7.5: -135 (bet $10 to win $17.41 total)
Under 7.5: +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
What to know: If you count Travis Hunter as a wide receiver, then two wide receivers went in the top 10 in 2025: Hunter to Jacksonville at No. 2, and Tetairoa McMillan to Carolina at No. 8. Three wideouts went in the top 10 in 2024: Marvin Harrison Jr. to Arizona at No. 4, Malik Nabers to the Giants at No. 6 and Rome Odunze to Chicago at No. 9. Tate is favored (-175) to be the first wide receiver to come off the board in 2026.
Jordyn Tyson
Arizona State — WR
Over 8.5: +140 (bet $10 to win $24.00 total)
Under 8.5: -185 (bet $10 to win $15.41 total)
What to know: Jordyn Tyson’s odds to be a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft opened at +400 in March. They have since surged to -500 for him to go inside the top 10.
Caleb Downs
Ohio State — S
Over 9.5: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Under 9.5: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
What to know: No safety has gone top-10 in the NFL Draft since Jamal Adams went sixth to the Jets back in 2017. Minkah Fitzpatrick went 11th to the Dolphins in 2018. Malaki Starks was the first safety selected last season, going 27th to Baltimore.
Rueben Bain Jr.
Miami FL — DL
Over 8.5: -400 (bet $10 to win $12.50 total)
Under 8.5: +270 (bet $10 to win $37 total)
What to know: Defensive linemen always go in the top 10. Since 2013, only twice has the top 10 not featured a defensive lineman — back in 2021 and then again in 2024.
Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)
Spencer Fano
Utah — OL
Over 10.5: +100 (bet $10 to win $20.00 total)
Under 10.5: -130 (bet $10 to win $17.69 total)
What to know: Fano is a close second choice to be the first offensive lineman drafted on Thursday at +110, just behind Francis Mauigoa, who leads the market at -125.
Makai Lemon
USC — WR
Over 14.5: -130 (bet $10 to win $17.69 total)
Under 14.5: +100 (bet $10 to win $20.00 total)
What to know: Lemon is expected to be the third wide receiver off the board, behind Tate and Tyson. He’ll look to follow in the footsteps of recent USC wide receivers Jordan Addison (2023) and Drake London (2022), who were both selected in the first round.
Olaivavega Ioane
Penn State — OL
Over 14.5: +225 (bet $10 to win $32.50 total)
Under 14.5: -310 (bet $10 to win $13.23 total)
What to know: Ioane has the fifth-best odds (+1800) to be the first offensive lineman selected. That said, he is still firmly expected to be a first-round pick.
Kenyon Sadiq
Oregon — TE
Over 15.5: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Under 15.5: -120 (bet $10 to win $18.33 total)
What to know: Colston Loveland (No. 10 to Chicago) and Tyler Warren (No. 14 to Indianapolis) both went in the top 15 last season. Brock Bowers went 13th to Las Vegas in 2024, and Kyle Pitts went fourth to Atlanta in 2021. In other words, the tight end position is on the rise when it comes to the first half of the first round. Sadiq is expected to be the first tight end off the board in 2026.
Kadyn Proctor
Alabama — OL
Over 16.5: +145 (bet $10 to win $24.50 total)
Under 16.5: -195 (bet $10 to win $15.13 total)
What to know: Proctor is the third choice (+950) to be the first offensive lineman drafted, behind Mauigoa (-125) and Fano (+110).
Dillon Thieneman
Oregon — S
Over 17.5: -215 (bet $10 to win $14.65 total)
Under 17.5: +155 (bet $10 to win $25.50 total)
What to know: Thieneman is heavily favored (-400) to be the second safety off the board, behind Downs. In 2025, only one safety was selected in the first round. That likely won’t be the case this year, with Thieneman expected to be selected in the middle of the first round.
Dillon Thieneman of Oregon (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Monroe Freeling
Georgia — OL
Over 19.5: +185 (bet $10 to win $28.50 total)
Under 19.5: -250 (bet $10 to win $14.00 total)
What to know: In 2025, eight offensive linemen were selected in the first round, and a similar number is expected in 2026, with Freeling projected to be among them.
Omar Cooper Jr.
Indiana — WR
Over 23.5: +120 (bet $10 to win $22.00 total)
Under: 23.5: -160 (bet to win $16.25 total)
What to know: Cooper is projected to be the fourth or fifth wide receiver selected. If he goes in the first round, he would become the first Indiana receiver drafted in the opening round since Thomas Lewis in 1994.
KC Concepcion
Texas A&M — WR
Over 24.5: +100 (bet $10 to win $20 total)
Under: 24.5: -130 (bet to win $17.69 total)
What to know: Counting Travis Hunter as a wide receiver, four total wide receivers were selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In 2024, seven wide receivers went in the first round. This year, the line is set at 5.5 wide receivers selected in Round 1, with the over juiced to -165.
Akheem Mesidor
Miami FL — EDGE
Over 25.5: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)
Under 25.5: -125 (bet $10 to win $18.00 total)
What to know: Mesidor is expected to be the fourth or fifth edge rusher selected, behind Arvell Reese, David Bailey, and his college teammate Rueben Bain Jr. He and Auburn’s Keldric Faulk are likely next in line.
Denzel Boston
Washington — WR
Over 26.5: -125 (bet $10 to win $18.00 total)
Under 26.5: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)
What to know: Boston will look to follow in the footsteps of former Washington Huskies wide receivers Rome Odunze and John Ross, who were both selected in the first round. He is expected to be among the five or six wide receivers selected in this year’s first round.
Jermod McCoy
Tennessee — CB
Over 28.5: -150 (bet $10 to win $16.67 total)
Under: 28.5: +115 (bet to win $21.50 total)
What to know: After Mansoor Delane (-5000 to be the first cornerback selected), McCoy is tied with Colton Hood and Chris Johnson at +175 to be the second cornerback drafted. In 2025, three cornerbacks were selected in the first round.
Chris Johnson
San Diego State — CB
Over 32.5: +180 (bet $10 to win $28.00 total)
Under 32.5: -250 (bet $10 to win $14.00 total)
What to know: At the beginning of April, Chris Johnson’s odds to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft opened at +550. He is one of the fastest rising prospects and is now -250 to go in the first.
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