The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs 3-1 in Game 5 of the 2025 National League Division Series (NLCS) on October 11, 2025, at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
This victory sealed the series for the Brewers 3-2, advancing them to the National League Championship Series (NLCS) for the first time since 2018.
The game was a low-scoring bullpen battle, with Milwaukee’s pitching staff dominating after an early Cubs home run, while their offense provided just enough firepower with three solo home runs.
Seiya Suzuki’s solo home run in the first inning provided Chicago’s only run.
William Contreras, Andrew Vaughn, and Brice Turang hit solo home runs for Milwaukee, with Turang’s fourth-inning home run providing a crucial insurance run. Milwaukee’s bullpen (Jacob Misiorowski, Aaron Ashby, Chad Patrick, and Abner Uribe) allowed just one hit over the final four innings after a brief appearance by starter Trevor Megill.
The series was a classic NL Central rivalry showdown, with the home team winning all five games, highlighting the intensity of the matchup between the NL Central champion Brewers (97-65) and the 92-70 wild-card contenders.
Playoff revelation: This win exorcised the Brewers’ postseason demons, ending a string of early exits (including a 2024 wild-card loss). It’s their first series win since 2018 and positions them as legitimate World Series contenders.
Beating the Cubs, especially under former Brewers manager Craig Counsell, who defected to Chicago in the offseason, adds a touch of poetic justice. Fans and players celebrated having a “weight lifted,” with standout performances from young stars like Turang and Contreras fueling optimism.
Momentum toward the NL Championship Series: Milwaukee faces the Los Angeles Dodgers starting Monday, October 13, in a best-of-seven series. Their pitching depth and timely hitting could challenge Los Angeles’ star-studded lineup, although the Dodgers are heavy favorites
Overall, the game cements the Brewers as the NL dark horses while letting the Cubs regroup for 2026. Kudos to Milwaukee: may the NL Championship Series be as electrifying as this series.
