Despite Game 1 loss, Brewers fans hope exciting, young team can make a postseason run

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Another loss in the Wild Card round has Brewers fans feeling down, but not out. 

Thousands of people packed American Family Field hoping this year's team can do what teams in recent years could not: advance out of the first round. 

There were two main themes Tuesday in talking with fans: this is an exciting team, and this franchise is due. 

Neither of those changes with a loss, and Brewers fans hope this is the team that can turn it around. 

" I was always of the belief this team was better than people gave them credit for in the beginning of the season," said Nick Lazarides of Muskego. 

As playoff baseball returned to Milwaukee, Brewers fans were hoping the team would stay as hot on the field as the grills in the tailgate lots. 

"We got the cheddar, we got the regular, and then we got some hot dogs," Lazarides said. 

"The only playoff games Darren Opicka has missed were in 2008 when he was serving in the Marines. 

He said this year's team is different from the team that was swept out of the Wild Card round in 2023. 

"The excitement, underdog mentality. They didn't expect us to be here," Opicka said. "We expect to be here and hope to be here as well, every year."

Nicole and Adam Jensen were in line a full hour before the gates opened, ready to do their part to keep the momentum rolling.

"It feels different this year, there's so much more energy that they bring," said Adam Jensen. "Burgers and some chips, it was the last thing we had when they won."

The Jensens plan for the playoffs months in advance, no matter how good the team looks early in the season.

"What is October going to look like? And making sure I schedule my patients accordingly," Nicole Jensen said. 

But other fans, especially Mets fans, didn't know when or where they'd play until the last moment. 

The Yaruchyk family called a squeeze play from Indiana.

"We decided, hey, let's pull them out of school and let's go to the game," Pedro Yaruchyk said. 

Older brother Tallin roots for the Mets, like dad. His younger brother roots for the Crew.

"Somebody's going to be happy," Tallin said. "Someone is going to be happy out of the next two, three days."

Happiness means different things to different fans. Some have high aspirations. 

"I anticipate a deep run," Adam Jensen said. "I love the way they've been playing. They can do it in different ways."

Others just want to survive the first round.

"All I want is to get through this first round, get in the next round, then we're in house money right there," said Dean Perlberg of Muskego. 

But all of them are ready to show their support, no matter how long the magical ride lasts. 

"We actually have tickets for tomorrow too," Perlberg said. "So we're all ready to go."

While many people felt this year would be a glimpse of the future, people Tuesday told us that future is now, and the Brewers can win now.