By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Sep 28, 2011 at 10:25 PM Photography: David Bernacchi

It took 162 games and extra innings but we finally know who is playing where in the National League Division Series.

The Brewers wrapped up the No. 2 seed in the National League and home-field advantage in the NLDS with a 7-3 victory Wednesday night against Pittsburgh at Miller Park.

They will open the playoffs at home Saturday against the Diamondbacks, who fell, 7-5, to the Dodgers. The outcome of that game didn't matter, though, as the Brewers entered play Wednesday with a one-game lead and were in control of their own destiny.

"It is definitely a great feeling to know that we've got the home field and it's also nice to know that we did it ourselves," manager Ron Roenicke said. "All season, nobody helped us out. We didn't get any help at the end there to clinch it and the guys stepped up and took control. That's what I'm really happy about."

Securing home-field for the first round was an important goal for the Brewers, especially after setting a franchise record by going 57-24 at Miller Park this season, the best home record in baseball.

"It's special, said Ryan Braun. "We recognize that we're a really tough team to beat here. It's a huge advantage for us to know that we have home-field advantage, at least for the first round. It was definitely a goal of ours from the beginning of the year."

Roenicke didn't want to use starting pitcher Zack Greinke much Wednesday but was left with no choice heading into the finale. Starting on three days rest for just the second time in his career, Greinke worked six innings, allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk.

He only threw 74 pitches but Roenicke said that would still be enough to push him to Game 3 of the NLDS – which would come next Tuesday in Phoenix.

Roenicke had hoped to start him Sunday in Game 2 to take advantage of his 11-0 record and 3.13 ERA at Miller Park, where the Brewers went 15-0 in his home starts this season.

"It's unfortunate that we're going to miss him right off the bat, pitching at home for us," Roenicke said. "I was a little uncomfortable bringing him back today and it's a little unfair to him to bring him back again on three days. Unless he comes to me and says he feels great and I don't even know if I would let him in then."

Shaun Marcum is likely to draw the Game 2 assignment, though Roenicke declined to make the announcement official.

As good as Greinke has been at home, Marcum has put up impressive numbers on the road. In 16 road starts, he's 8-3 with a 2.21 ERA. Back in Milwaukee, Marcum is 5-4 with a 4.81 ERA. Those splits would have made him an ideal candidate to start Game 3, scheduled for next Tuesday at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Having to play to the final game has made for a lot of sleepless nights for Roenicke, in his first year as manager. Figuring out how to line up the rotation for the postseason, while still keeping his team in position to clinch home-field advantage, has been one of his biggest concerns.

"That's why I've got all this paperwork on my desk with match-ups on how they've done against certain teams," Roenicke said. "Because we have so many options, and home / road and who we're playing, it makes it tough to just say 'this is what we're doing.'"

Braun falls just short: The other race Milwaukee fans cared most about was between Braun and Jose Reyes, who were battling for the National League batting title. Reyes singled in his only at-bat Wednesday boosting his average to .337 and forcing Braun to get at least three hits to win the crown.

It wasn't meant to be, however, as the MVP candidate went 0-for-4 and finished the season with .332 average.

"He's a little disappointed in not winning it – I think we all are," Roenicke said. "But he had a tremendous season."

Farewell for Fielder: Prince Fielder will play at least two more games at Miller Park, but Roenicke gave fans a chance to show him their appreciation Wednesday night.

Roenicke pulled Fielder from the game in the top of the ninth inning and the crowd of 41,976 responded with a standing ovation. He becomes a free agent after this season and is all but certain to not be back in 2012.

"It was cool, it was real good. It was good," Fielder said. "A lot different from last year but that's a good thing, though."

Braves fall, Cardinals clinch: On the other side of the National League bracket, the Atlanta Braves' September collapse came to an end at Turner Field with a 4-3 loss to the Phillies in 13 innings. Their loss, coupled with the Cardinals' 8-0 victory at Houston, hands the National League wild card to St. Louis, which will open the postseason Saturday in Philadelphia.

National League Division Series schedule
(Best-of-five)

Game 1 – Saturday, Oct. 1
Arizona at Milwaukee, 1:07 p.m.
St. Louis at Philadelphia, 4:07 p.m.

Game 2 – Sunday, Oct. 2
Arizona at Milwaukee, 3:37 p.m.
St. Louis at Philadelphia, 7:07 p.m.

Game 3 – Tuesday, Oct. 4
Milwaukee at Arizona, TBA
Philadelphia at St. Louis, TBA

Game 4* – Wednesday, Oct. 5
Milwaukee at Arizona, TBA
Philadelphia at St. Louis, TBA

Game 5* – Friday, Oct. 7
Arizona at Milwaukee, TBA
St. Louis at Philadelphia, TBA

* - If necessary