Cubs’ 4-Run First Inning Holds Off Brewers, Avoids NLDS Elimination

The Chicago Cubs refused to let their season end quietly. They brought an explosive offensive start to Game 3 of the 2025 NLDS, stunning the Milwaukee Brewers.

After dropping the first two games of the series, Chicago’s bats finally roared to life. Four runs in the opening inning set the tone for an 8–3 victory at Wrigley Field.

With crisp pitching, aggressive baserunning, and clutch hits from key veterans, the Cubs sent a message. This series isn’t over just yet—not if they have anything to say about it.

Cubs Come Out Swinging

The Cubs struggled to find offense in Games 1 and 2. But in Game 3, they came out swinging, determined to flip the script.

Leadoff man Nico Hoerner worked a walk and forced Brewers starter Freddy Peralta into a tough spot right away. Cody Bellinger followed with a double to right-center, and the rally just kept building from there.

Patient approaches and smart situational hitting fueled the early outburst. You could feel the energy shift almost instantly.

First-Inning Explosion

Chicago scored four runs before the Brewers could even catch their breath. Ian Happ’s two-run single was the biggest blow, igniting the Wrigley crowd and easing the tension from those earlier losses.

The early cushion let starter Justin Steele settle in. He mixed his fastball and slider, keeping Milwaukee’s big bats mostly silent.

Pitching Holds the Lead

Justin Steele gave the Cubs 6 1/3 solid innings, allowing just two runs. He stayed poised when Brewers hitters threatened in the middle innings.

Manager David Ross went to his bullpen at just the right times. Mark Leiter Jr. shut down a seventh-inning rally, and Adbert Alzolay slammed the door in the ninth.

Defensive Gems Make a Difference

The offense grabbed the headlines, but the Cubs’ defense really mattered too. Dansby Swanson turned a slick double play in the fifth, stopping the Brewers’ momentum.

Seiya Suzuki made a leaping catch at the ivy, robbing extra bases and firing up the home crowd. Those plays kept Chicago in control when things got tense.

Key Takeaways from Game 3

• Early offense — Four first-inning runs put Milwaukee on their heels right away.
• Pitching execution — Steele and the bullpen handled high-pressure spots with confidence.
• Defensive highlights — Big plays in the field killed Brewers rallies and kept the momentum in Chicago’s favor.
• Home field advantage — The Wrigley crowd was loud and relentless, giving the Cubs a real boost.

What’s Next for the Series

The Cubs’ win trimmed Milwaukee’s series lead to 2–1 in this best-of-five NLDS. Game 4 stays at Wrigley, and that crowd will be ready again.

Looks like the Brewers will turn to ace Corbin Burnes, while the Cubs are expected to hand the ball to Jameson Taillon. Feels like anything could happen now, doesn’t it?

Momentum Shift?

If Chicago can bring that same aggressive energy from Game 3, things could get interesting fast. Momentum might just flip on its head.

Teams that force a Game 5 after trailing 0–2 have shocked higher seeds before. The Cubs are hungry to join that club.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, needs to shut down Chicago’s big bats right away. Closing the series out on the road won’t be easy, and they know it.

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Here is the source article for this story: MLB playoffs 2025: Cubs score 4 runs in first inning, hold off Brewers to avoid elimination in NLDS Game 3