Matthew Boyd Shuts Down Brewers, Cubs Force NLDS Game 5

The Chicago Cubs kept their postseason hopes alive in dramatic fashion, shutting out the Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 at Wrigley Field. That win forces a decisive Game 5 in the NLDS.

Matthew Boyd delivered a resilient pitching performance, while Ian Happ’s early three-run blast fired up the Cubs’ offense. The team clearly fed off the home crowd’s energy and took control from the first inning.

Cubs’ Early Offensive Surge Sets the Tone

Striking early in a playoff game changes everything, and the Cubs proved it. Brewers starter Freddy Peralta struggled to settle in, and Ian Happ—who’d had a rough postseason—crushed a three-run homer in the first inning.

The Wrigley crowd erupted. That’s the kind of moment you dream about.

Happ’s Redemption Story

Postseason slumps can mess with even the best players. For Happ, though, this was more than just a stat boost—it was a statement.

He said afterward that delivering for the fans in October meant the world to him. You could tell it was one of his proudest moments as a Cub.

Matthew Boyd’s Pitching Turnaround

After a rough Game 1, Matthew Boyd had plenty to prove. He answered with 4⅔ scoreless innings, six strikeouts, and just two hits allowed.

He showed way more command of the strike zone. The first inning can be a nightmare in playoff games, but Boyd handled it with a cool head and a smart approach.

Adjustments from the Battery

Boyd and catcher Carson Kelly tweaked their game plan, attacking Milwaukee’s right-handed hitters with inside fastballs. That move paid off.

The crowd’s roar seemed to give Boyd an extra jolt. Manager Craig Counsell pointed to Boyd’s steady first inning as a real turning point.

Wrigley Field’s Electric Atmosphere

There’s something about playoff baseball in Chicago. Thursday night? Classic Wrigley magic.

The crowd wasn’t just loud—they were part of the show. They chanted Peralta’s name and rattled the Brewers’ starter. Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy admitted the noise got to his team.

Fans as the 10th Player

The Cubs fed off all that energy. Every strikeout and big hit seemed to crank up the atmosphere even more.

Counsell called it “one of the most electric” environments he’s seen as a manager. Hard to argue with that.

Additional Power Displays Seal the Deal

Happ’s homer got things rolling, but Chicago’s offense didn’t let up. Kyle Tucker and Michael Busch each blasted solo home runs later on, stretching the lead.

Those extra runs let the Cubs play loose and aggressive. The fans stayed locked in the whole game.

The Brewers’ Uphill Battle

Milwaukee looked unsettled from the start. They couldn’t solve Boyd or the Cubs’ bullpen, and answers seemed in short supply.

With their season on the line, the Brewers need to regroup fast if they want to handle both the Cubs’ momentum and the Wrigley crowd in Game 5.

Looking Ahead to Game 5

The series now shifts into do-or-die territory. Both teams know the stakes—win and advance, lose and head home.

For the Cubs, the formula feels simple enough: harness the momentum and keep pitching aggressively inside the zone. They’ll also need to feed off the crowd’s energy, which can get pretty wild when it matters most.

Key factors to watch for Game 5 include:

• Can Matthew Boyd hold onto his improved form, or will the Brewers finally figure out his inside pitching?
• Will Chicago’s lineup put up early runs and keep the heat on Milwaukee?
• How much will the crowd energy actually rattle or inspire the players on both sides?

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