The Milwaukee Brewers punched their ticket to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2018. They defeated the Chicago Cubs 3–1 in Game 5 of the NLDS at American Family Field.
In a tense winner-take-all matchup, every run came via a solo home run. The game turned into a showcase of elite pitching and timely power hitting.
Now, Milwaukee sets its sights on the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s a rematch fans have been waiting for since their 2018 playoff showdown.
Brewers’ Power Surge Seals the Deal
Game 5 really came down to the long ball. The Brewers leaned on clutch solo shots from William Contreras, Andrew Vaughn, and Brice Turang.
Vaughn’s fourth-inning blast broke a 1–1 tie and ended up as the game-winner. Turang added some cushion in the seventh with a no-doubt homer, sending Brewers fans into pure chaos.
Cubs Struggle to Match Milwaukee’s Momentum
Chicago’s only run came from Seiya Suzuki in the second inning, and for a moment, Brewers fans fell silent. That early spark faded fast, though.
The Cubs’ offense just couldn’t capitalize when it mattered, going 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position. They missed a golden chance in the sixth with two men on and nobody out.
Dominant Pitching Carries Milwaukee
While the home runs stole the headlines, Milwaukee’s pitching staff quietly carried them. Rookie starter Jacob Misiorowski showed a calm well beyond his age, giving up just one run over four innings after Suzuki’s early homer.
He kept the Cubs guessing with a mix of velocity and sharp command. That set the table for the bullpen to take over.
Lockdown Relief Performance
The Brewers’ bullpen trio — Aaron Ashby, Chad Patrick, and Abner Uribe — absolutely shut things down in the late innings. Over the final four frames, they allowed only one hit and squashed any hopes the Cubs had for a comeback.
Uribe especially looked electric, closing the door with clutch strikeouts in the ninth.
Home Field Advantage Proves Decisive
The home team won every game in the series. That really shows how fine the margins are between these two NL Central rivals.
For Milwaukee, the comfort of American Family Field and the roar of their fans made all the difference.
Recent Postseason History Repeats Itself
The Brewers’ next matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers brings back memories of the 2018 NLCS. Milwaukee heads into this rematch with a mix of youthful energy and some veteran grit, hoping to flip the script from six years ago.
Cubs Face an Offseason of Reflection
For the Cubs, this loss stings. They missed a chance to complete a dramatic comeback after going down 2–0 in the series.
Even with solid bullpen work that held Milwaukee to just one run over the last 4⅓ innings, the bats just didn’t get it done.
Key Areas for Improvement
As Chicago heads into the offseason with eyes on 2026, they’ve got some issues to tackle:
- Finding ways to hit better with runners in scoring position
- Adding depth to the starting rotation
- Developing more consistent power threats beyond Seiya Suzuki
- Keeping the bullpen strong while making those late innings less nerve-wracking
What This Means for Milwaukee
The Brewers’ win sent a message to their fans and the rest of the league. When you mix timely power with dominant pitching, you’ve got a recipe for postseason success.
Milwaukee rolls into their showdown with one of baseball’s elite franchises riding a serious wave of momentum. Should be a good one.
Eyes on the Pennant
Heading into the NLCS, Milwaukee knows exactly what matters most. They need to keep the bats hot and the pitching sharp.
They’ll want to ride the energy of the home crowd, too. With a roster that feels balanced and a team identity that finally seems locked in, the Brewers look ready for a real shot at their first National League pennant.
As October baseball rolls on, fans can’t help but wonder—will Milwaukee’s mix of young talent and veteran grit be enough to get past the Dodgers? The World Series sits just out of reach, but maybe not for long.
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Here is the source article for this story: MLB playoffs live updates: Cubs vs. Brewers score, analysis from NLDS Game 5
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