The Milwaukee Brewers have officially ended the Chicago Cubs’ playoff hopes, winning Game 5 of the NLDS at American Family Field. In the first-ever postseason showdown between these two NL Central rivals, the Brewers advanced to the NLCS and delivered a cheeky reminder of their dominance.
This victory wasn’t just a ticket to the next round. It felt like a statement in a rivalry that’s starting to define the future of MLB.
The Brewers End Cubs’ Season in Historic Style
For Milwaukee fans, this win was sweet. It marked their first postseason series triumph since 2018 and came against their closest geographical foe.
The Cubs entered 2024 with plenty of preseason hype. But they couldn’t overcome Milwaukee’s home-field advantage and lost every game outside Wrigley Field.
First Playoff Meeting and Home-Field Edge
This NLDS matchup was a first—not just for the rivalry, but for the postseason. It really showcased how much home-field advantage can matter.
Milwaukee finished the regular season with 97 wins, the best record in baseball. That gave them the right to host games at American Family Field.
The home team won all five games. That tipped the balance squarely in Milwaukee’s favor.
A Playful “L” Flag Celebration
When the final out landed in Game 5, the Brewers wasted no time celebrating. In a rivalry-fueled moment, Milwaukee players posed for a team photo holding a Chicago “L” flag—a playful jab at the Cubs’ tradition of flying the “W” flag after wins.
Trevor Megill’s Viral Photo
Former Cub-turned-Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill held the blue “L” proudly. The image blew up online almost instantly.
The Brewers’ official X account jumped in, quote-tweeting an old Cubs post from May. They shared a photoshopped image of the “L” flag draped over Chicago’s famous Bean sculpture.
Social Media Sparks Rivalry Fires
The Brewers’ trolling was a direct answer to a Cubs post days earlier, which had shown the W flag on the same landmark. This kind of back-and-forth is what makes heated sports rivalries so much fun—moments that spill beyond the field and into the digital world.
Craig Counsell’s Reaction
Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who previously managed Milwaukee, stayed gracious in defeat. Facing his old team in a playoff series had to sting, but Counsell congratulated the Brewers and called them a “deserving World Series contender.”
His sportsmanship didn’t make things easier for Cubs fans, especially since he’d left Milwaukee for Chicago before the season.
Analysts vs. Reality: Brewers Defy Preseason Expectations
Before Opening Day, plenty of analysts picked the Cubs to win the NL Central. That call ignored Milwaukee’s back-to-back division titles in 2023 and 2024.
The Brewers took that doubt and used it as fuel, embracing their small-market, underdog identity. They posted MLB’s best record and earned both respect and a little resentment from rivals.
What Comes Next?
With “NLCS BOUND” banners across American Family Field, Milwaukee’s riding a wave of momentum into the next round. Cubs fans are left with a loss that’ll sting through winter.
Brewers fans? They’ve got proof their team can take on baseball’s big spenders—and maybe even outdo them.
Key Takeaways from the Brewers’ NLDS Victory
This series reminded us that rivalries are alive. They twist and build with every wild playoff moment.
Here are the highlights:
- First-ever playoff clash between Brewers and Cubs ended with Milwaukee on top.
- The home team won every game. Home-field advantage really mattered this time.
- Trevor Megill’s viral “L” flag photo sent fans and media into a frenzy.
- Social media exchanges kept the rivalry buzzing, adding fuel to the fire.
- Brewers ignored preseason predictions and racked up 97 wins during the regular season.
Next season? Tensions will probably rise even higher. The Brewers aren’t hiding their intentions—they want to win, and they’re happy to let their biggest rivals know it.
—
If you’d like, I can also produce an **SEO-friendly meta description** and suggested keyword list to boost this blog post’s search ranking. Do you want me to do that next?
Here is the source article for this story: Brewers take one last shot at Cubs after clinching NLCS berth
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s