MILWAUKEE -- The champagne is on ice for the Brewers.

A 6-2 win over the Phillies at American Family Field on Monday night reduced Milwaukee’s magic number for clinching the NL Central title to two. The celebration could come as early as Tuesday with a Brewers victory and a loss by the Cubs, who take on the A’s in Chicago.

In what many considered to be a rebuilding year for the Brewers, the team finds itself on the cusp of not only a division title, but a chance to earn a first-round bye.

"I heard what people were saying. A lot of people laughed at us and said this was a rebuild and things like that,” manager Pat Murphy said. “We haven’t accomplished anything yet, but we’ll keep playing and be competitive every game like we have. That’s what I see in this group. It’s the right young energy. The right leaders."

Milwaukee (87-63) pulled to within three games of the Phillies (90-60) for the top spot and still trails the Dodgers (89-61) by two games for the second position after Los Angeles’ 9-0 win over the Braves on Monday. The two division winners with the best records earn byes.

William Contreras belted a two-run double, Aaron Civale put together another effective start, Hoby Milner pitched out of a jam in the sixth and veteran starter Colin Rea earned his first career save as the Brewers downed the NL East-leading Phillies to inch closer to a playoff berth.

The team-wide effort was indicative of the “all-hands-on-deck” mentality the Brewers have show throughout the season, Murphy said.

“We always figure out a way. We sign the right type of guys that are willing to do anything,” he said. “Colin was told today that we’re light [in the bullpen]. That’s the type of people who you are looking to build with when you’re in a small market and have all the adversity that we’ve had. That’s what this comes down to.”

The Brewers broke through against Ranger Suárez (12-7) in the third. With one out, Jackson Chourio walked, Blake Perkins singled and Contreras followed with a double to drive in the pair.

Civale (7-8) allowed a solo homer to Brandon Marsh in the fifth, and departed after surrendering back-to-back singles to open the sixth.

Milner came on and promptly recorded three consecutive outs in the heart of the Phillies' order as the Brewers escaped the inning unscathed.

Facing the Phillies for the first time in his six-year MLB career, Civale continued his run of impressive outings at American Family Field since being acquired from the Rays in July. The 29-year-old right-hander is 4-1 with a 1.98 ERA in seven home starts with the Brewers.

"The crowd is definitely into it every time. It’s nice to pitch in front of them,” Civale said. “It’s also the confidence and comfort I have with this whole team and that everyone in this clubhouse has with each other."

Civale is 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA over his last seven starts overall.

"Any time you’re competing and playing meaningful games at the end of the year, it’s awesome,” he said.

Milner, who has struggled at times this season, notched his fifth hold of the campaign after entering in a high-pressure situation, reflecting afterward that the bullpen has shed a lot of traditional roles this season.

"It gives Murph a lot of options,” he said. “It’s been great for everybody.”

The 34-year-old Rea has been a steady member of the Brewers’ starting rotation, but gave up a career-worst 10 runs in four innings on Wednesday against the Giants in San Francisco.

"That was a rough start,” Rea said. “The focus tonight was to be aggressive and know where my misses were going to be. If you make mistakes, they’ll make you pay."

Rea pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up three hits with one strikeout and no walks.

"It was one of those things where we were kind of running low in the bullpen and [Murphy] brought the idea of me coming down to the bullpen and filling in some innings if we needed to,” Rea said. “I thought it was a good idea, myself. I was all for it.”

Rea became the 12th Brewers pitcher to record a save this season, matching the Dodgers while extending the franchise record of 10 set in 1973. Only the Rays (2021) have had more pitchers (14) record a save in a season in Major League history.

"We’re deep. You can throw anyone out there tonight,” Rea said. “Anyone in this clubhouse would have done the same thing."