Cubs vs Brewers NLDS rivalry, a heated clash along the I-94 corridor, reached fever pitch in the 2025 National League Division Series, where Milwaukee clinched a dramatic 3-1 victory in Game 5 on October 11, advancing to the NLCS. This series showcased both teams’ grit, with home runs, clutch pitching, and passionate fans fueling a classic postseason showdown. For Cubs fans, it’s another year of heartbreak, but Chicago’s resurgence offers hope. Let’s dive into the series highlights, key moments, and what this means for this storied rivalry.
Cubs vs Brewers NLDS: A Regular Season Setup Ripe for Drama
Heading into the playoffs, the Brewers finished the 2025 regular season atop the NL Central with a stellar 97-65 record, securing home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Milwaukee’s success was built on a dominant bullpen, speed on the bases (they led the NL with 164 steals), and young stars like Jackson Chourio emerging as postseason heroes. Manager Pat Murphy’s crew embodied resilience, overcoming injuries to key starters and still posting baseball’s fourth-best home record at 52-29.
The Cubs, at 92-70, nipped at their heels for a wild-card spot before surging into the division race.
Cubs vs Brewers NLDS: Power, Pitching, and Pure Chaos
The best-of-five NLDS kicked off October 4 at American Family Field, and the Brewers wasted no time asserting dominance. In Game 1, Milwaukee erupted for a 9-3 rout, pounding Cubs opener Jameson Taillon early. Chourio, the 21-year-old phenom, dazzled with three hits and three RBIs in the first two innings alone—the first player ever to do so in a postseason game—before exiting with hamstring tightness. Milwaukee’s offense clicked, and their bullpen locked it down, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Game 2 on October 6 doubled down on the power theme. Rookie fireballer Jacob Misiorowski shone in his MLB debut, scattering baserunners over three innings, while Andrew Vaughn crushed a three-run homer. The Brewers added two more long balls en route to a 7-3 win, pushing the series to 2-0. Chicago managed just three runs across the twin bill in Milwaukee, their starters faltering against a Brewers lineup that feasted on mistakes. Fans chanted “Sweep!” as the Cubs headed home facing elimination.
But Wrigley Field’s winds—and the crowd’s roar—ignited a Cubs comeback. Game 3 on October 8 saw Pete Crow-Armstrong deliver a tiebreaking two-run single in a four-run first, capping a rally that handed Chicago a 4-3 escape. Michael Busch became the first player with multiple leadoff homers in a single postseason series, and reliever Brad Keller slammed the door despite Milwaukee loading the bases in the eighth. The series tightened to 2-1, with Counsell’s squad channeling that familiar October grit.
Game 4 on October 9 was a Cubs masterclass: a 6-0 shutout fueled by Ian Happ’s three-run blast off Freddy Peralta in the first and Busch’s third homer of the series. Chicago’s pitchers, including a lights-out bullpen, limited Milwaukee to three hits, evening the series at 2-2. Peralta, the Brewers’ ace, labored through four innings, exposing Milwaukee’s rotation depth issues. “We don’t have enough reliable starters to absorb meltdowns,” one analyst noted postgame. The stage was set for a winner-take-all Game 5 back in Milwaukee on October 11.
Cubs vs Brewers NLDS: Brewers’ Bats and Bullpen Seal the Deal
With the NLCS berth on the line, the Brewers turned to closer Trevor Megill as an unconventional opener, while the Cubs countered with lefty Drew Pomeranz. Milwaukee struck first with solo shots from William Contreras, Vaughn, and Brice Turang—three long balls that echoed through American Family Field. The Cubs scratched out a solo homer but couldn’t mount a rally, as Milwaukee’s relievers—led by Abner Uribe’s filthy sliders—held Chicago to one run on limited hits.
Final score: Brewers 3, Cubs 1. Turang’s dagger in the late innings sparked a dogpile celebration, clinching Milwaukee’s first NLDS win since beating the Rockies in 2018. Chourio, back from his tweak, added a key hit, while the bullpen’s dominance (one run allowed in the final four games) proved decisive. For Chicago, Crow-Armstrong’s speed and Suzuki’s power offered glimmers, but costly stranding of runners (seven left on base) doomed them. Counsell’s first postseason as Cubs manager ends in familiar fashion: close, but no cigar.
Standout performers defined the series. Chourio slashed .429 with multiple multi-hit games, earning NLDS MVP buzz. Busch’s three homers for Chicago were historic, and Peralta’s 9 Ks in Game 1 reminded why he’s Milwaukee’s anchor. Defensively, both teams shone—Milwaukee’s 52-29 home mark translated to lockdown plays, while the Cubs’ late surge at Wrigley (winning both games there) highlighted their resilience.
Rivalry Rekindled: Legacy and Looking Ahead
This series amplified the Brewers-Cubs tension, rooted in the I-94 corridor and intensified by Counsell’s jump ship. Milwaukee now faces the Dodgers in the NLCS starting October 13—a 2018 rematch with World Series stakes. The Brewers’ path? Lean on that vaunted ‘pen and speed to counter LA’s star power. Odds favor the Dodgers at -180, but Murphy’s “cliffhangers” have a knack for October surprises.
For the Cubs, it’s back to the drawing board after a 92-win campaign. Bolstered by Tucker and Busch, they enter 2026 as contenders, but addressing starter depth will be key. The rivalry? Expect payback next spring—Chicago’s 7-6 regular-season edge suggests parity, and with both teams young and hungry, more fireworks loom.
In a postseason of upsets, this NLDS delivered classic divisional warfare: homers, heroics, and heartbreak. Milwaukee savors the sweet taste of victory, while Chicago licks its wounds. Baseball’s beauty lies in these moments—until next time, the North Side and Cream City will simmer.
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