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Yelich believes Brewers can make playoffs without him

Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Christian Yelich firmly believes the playoffs are still within reach for the Milwaukee Brewers, even without his MVP-caliber play.

"I think they can (make the playoffs)," he told reporters on Monday, including Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "They've shown it for the last week or so. We've still got I don't know how many games left but I like our chances. We're finding ways to win. This team, for whatever reason, we seem to pull it together and when everything's on the line, we find a way to win.

"It's a big tribute to the guys in the clubhouse. It's not an accident that it happens. There's a lot of good leaders in there. It's about finding a way. Hopefully, we continue to do that."

Losing Yelich, who authored a 40-30 season and was in contention to repeat as NL MVP, was thought to be the final nail in Milwaukee's coffin this season. Instead, the team has lost just once over its six games without him, pulling to within one game of the Cubs for the second NL wild-card spot.

When Yelich laid on the ground after fouling a ball off his knee last week in Miami, the Brewers star was in the worst pain he's ever felt. So he wasn't shocked to learn just a few hours later that he'd fractured his right patella, ending his stellar 2019 season prematurely.

"I could see the X-ray," Yelich said. "You don't need a doctor to tell you it's broken."

But the 27-year-old isn't letting himself feel down now that he's unable to help during the Brewers' playoff push.

"Trust me, I had my pity party that night at the stadium. I felt terrible. I was down in the dumps," he said. "After leaving the stadium and getting going, it's all about being positive and trying to get back. I haven't spent any time with 'Why me? Why this?' It happened.

"I wish I could have an impact on this race, or if we make the playoffs, participate in that. But it's just not going to happen. There's no point in dwelling on it or letting it get you down."

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