The Brewers returned to American Family Field on Monday night for an exhibition against Cincinnati, back in front of home fans for the first time since last season’s playoff run and focused on turning a record-setting 2025 into something bigger.Milwaukee opens the regular season Thursday against the Chicago White Sox at 1:10 p.m., and the challenge now is building off a record-setting year that raised expectations around the club.Brandon Lockridge said the Brewers are trying to learn from last season without getting stuck in it.“Every season it’s different,” Lockridge said. “We have the core group still here, but we’re using the past to learn from it, not necessarily live in it.”First baseman Andrew Vaughn struck a similar tone as the Brewers prepare for a fresh start.“You got to build off it, learn from it,” Vaughn said. “But 2026 is a new season. That’s in the past.”Pitcher Grant Anderson said the clubhouse is carrying over the same mindset after last year’s success, with an eye on finishing the job this time.“Keeping the same mentality,” Anderson said. “It’s a team goal and, we’re all in it together.”That goal is clear for a franchise still chasing its first World Series title.After five months away from their home ballpark, the Brewers are back in Milwaukee and back on the field, with opening day now just days away and expectations as high as they have been in years.

MILWAUKEE —

The Brewers returned to American Family Field on Monday night for an exhibition against Cincinnati, back in front of home fans for the first time since last season’s playoff run and focused on turning a record-setting 2025 into something bigger.

Milwaukee opens the regular season Thursday against the Chicago White Sox at 1:10 p.m., and the challenge now is building off a record-setting year that raised expectations around the club.

Brandon Lockridge said the Brewers are trying to learn from last season without getting stuck in it.

“Every season it’s different,” Lockridge said. “We have the core group still here, but we’re using the past to learn from it, not necessarily live in it.”

First baseman Andrew Vaughn struck a similar tone as the Brewers prepare for a fresh start.

“You got to build off it, learn from it,” Vaughn said. “But 2026 is a new season. That’s in the past.”

Pitcher Grant Anderson said the clubhouse is carrying over the same mindset after last year’s success, with an eye on finishing the job this time.

“Keeping the same mentality,” Anderson said. “It’s a team goal and, we’re all in it together.”

That goal is clear for a franchise still chasing its first World Series title.

After five months away from their home ballpark, the Brewers are back in Milwaukee and back on the field, with opening day now just days away and expectations as high as they have been in years.