NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: DODGERS VS BREWERS

October 12, 2026

Jake Bauers

Christian Yelich

William Contreras

American Family Field

Milwaukee Brewers

Postgame 2 Press Conference

Brewers - 7, Dodgers - 4

Q. Jake, can you just walk me through that 12-pitch at-bat you had? Christian, can you walk me through your point of view from the on-deck circle afterward?

JAKE BAUERS: Yeah, it just got to a certain point where it was straight compete mode. A little bit of like blackout, just kind of in the flow a little bit competing.

It was fun. It was a fun at-bat. I knew that was a moment where the guys needed something, the team needed something. It was either I'm going to get something to hit here; I'm going to see enough pitches to take a walk.

CHRISTIAN YELICH: The deeper the at-bat got, I knew he was getting on, whether it be by hit or walk, whatever it may be. I was just getting ready for my at-bat and being up there in whatever situation.

You want to follow a great at-bat like that with a good at-bat. I wanted to make sure I was going to swing at a good pitch and put a good swing on something, and fortunately I was able to do that.

Q. William, the Dodgers wanted to get a lead the whole time. That was their strategy. What's your mindset when they're ahead? Are you challenged by that? Do you want to answer right away? Are you unbothered? Because the Brewers answered every single time.

WILLIAM CONTRERAS: It's baseball. That's baseball. I think the whole team right now really feels like they're going through a good moment. I'm very appreciative of them and the work they've been able to put in and the support we've been able to give each other.

Like I said before, it's to the end. It's until the last out. I think this is a team that does that, competes, and fights every pitch. Again, just very appreciative of that. Definitely very thankful of the work that the bullpen has been able to do coming in.

Q. William, you had the Dodgers a little bit on the ropes here, 2-0. They have a history of coming back from these holes in the postseason and always delivering. What's your mindset and approach going into Los Angeles with a 2-0 lead now?

WILLIAM CONTRERAS: Keep going. Keep going. The goal is not to think about where we're at. Regardless of where we're going, who we're playing against, the goal is just to focus on doing our jobs and executing our jobs. That's the task at hand. Just focusing on what's next.

Q. (Question in Spanish)?

WILLIAM CONTRERAS: I'm going to keep on doing my job offensively and defensively. I'm always going to go out there and be the best version of myself as I possibly can. Like I always say, baseball is a game of highs and lows, and it's going to bring more lows than it brings highs. I think a lot of people don't understand.

Yesterday for me wasn't a bad game because I had the game I had behind the plate. Whatever I'm able to contribute behind the plate as well -- what mattered most in yesterday's was we were able to come out with a win.

For me, as long as I'm able to do that, obviously better today that I'm able to contribute on both sides of the ball. Happy we're able to come out with a win.

Q. For William, I mean, you were an All-Star before you got to the Brewers, but your four years in Milwaukee have been so steadily consistent, productive at a high level. What is it about this place that fits well with you, and how have you gotten better these last four years?

WILLIAM CONTRERAS: I think it's the confidence that Milwaukee instilled in me from day one whenever they acquired me. I think going out there and letting me play the game that I do and letting me play the way that I do. I think the only thing I really have to say is just very appreciative to the organization for what they've been able to do.

I think I've been able to have the best years of my career here.

Q. For Christian or Jake, what do you admire about William's game, or what does he do beyond the stats we all see?

CHRISTIAN YELICH: I think just his competitiveness and the way that he's willing to bring it every day. He wants to compete every single day, every moment. Does a great job handling the pitching staff. He's the fire of our team. Just likes the moments, likes the big moments. We've got all the confidence in the world in him when he's out there, whether that's behind the plate or at the plate.

It's been fun to watch this postseason, and looking forward to more.

Q. Christian, you've played on a lot of great teams here in Milwaukee. In what ways did this game tonight show the manner in which this is a very unique group and maybe a truly special group with a unique blend of chemistry and talent?

CHRISTIAN YELICH: It was the way we just kept going. We kept competing. We beat ourselves a little early in the game, would get up, get behind. It was just like a lot of self-inflicted wounds.

It was a credit to the guys, kept grinding, kept giving ourselves opportunities, scoring opportunities, and people kept coming up with big hits or big at-bats, just grinding and working walks, getting on base. I was proud of the guys. It's been really fun to be a part of.

We've got to keep going. We haven't accomplished anything yet. It was a good start, but still a long way to go. They're a great team over there, and we know that we've got to continue to play well.

Q. Jake, somebody who's really aware of the way the at-bats are connected in the lineup as you are, what did David Hamilton bring to the team today, and how did his skills contribute in a big way to this win?

JAKE BAUERS: Yeah, Hammy's been doing that for us all year. He finds a way on in big spots, and he's such a good base runner that he makes something happen with his legs. That's such a huge piece for us at the 9 hole coming around to the top of the lineup, to be able to get on, steal bases, make things happen, put pressure on the defense.

I don't know how many steals he had, but he had that pick attempt that got away. He gets to second base, he ends up scoring. He steals the base, he ends up scoring. That's such a big piece of the lineup 1 through 9 for sure.

Q. William, you've gotten a number of chances this postseason to kind of do the trot around the bases after the homers. What's going through your mind when you're doing those celebrations and the strolls around the bases? Is it instinctive, or what's going through your mind?

WILLIAM CONTRERAS: I just try to enjoy the moment. More than anything, I try to enjoy the moment. I think doing it, it's most importantly for my teammates. For them to feel the energy, feel the vibes, and for us to feel that together. The celebrations are for them. It's for the teammates and to keep us going.

Q. Christian, forgive me. This maybe is a potentially silly question. Did the captain's designation unlock anything for you, free up anything at all?

CHRISTIAN YELICH: No, I don't think so. I think it was more just being ready to play in the postseason and contribute to helping the team win in any way you can, honestly. That's kind of what we've all been about here all year is just finding a way to win. Wherever the moment finds, whoever the moment finds, like just be ready to compete in that moment and pass it to the next guy.

Q. I know you've had long at-bats before, but that at-bat was seven minutes long and foul balls and PitchCom issue. What was it like, the duration of the at-bat, battling for seven minutes with a pitcher of that caliber?

JAKE BAUERS: It was fun. It was a blast, honestly. It was a blast. Any time you can get that locked in doing anything, it's to me one of the most enjoyable experiences I think a human being can have.

Grateful for the opportunities always, and then just -- yeah, as the at-bat was going on, I was just enjoying it. I was honestly just having a blast.

Q. William, in the sixth inning before your RBI single, Brice Turang got intentionally walked. Did that give you a spark of motivation?

WILLIAM CONTRERAS: Yeah, definitely. I took it as motivation. That was a decision that their manager took, and then I just tried not to get too big or do anything too much. I wanted to put the ball in play. I knew it was a big run there. I think all runs here in these games are extremely important.

God was able to gift me that one, and I'll take every one that He gives me.