Brewers Knock Out Cubs 3-1 in Game 5, Send Milwaukee to NLCS

When Milwaukee Brewers clinched a 3‑1 win in the decisive NLDS Game 5American Family Field, the 94‑68 Chicago squad saw its postseason hopes evaporate. The loss sent Milwaukee to the National League Championship Series, leaving the Cubs to contemplate a season that finished just short of a coveted NLCS berth.

Game Summary and Key Moments

The Saturday night showdown began around 7:00 PM CDT under a sky that seemed to echo the tension in the stands. Chicago’s leadoff man Michael Busch opened the scoring attempt with a fly ball that was snatched by William Contreras in shallow right. The Cubs would have to wait until the fifth inning for the lone run, when Seiya Suzuki launched a solo homer off Freddy Peralta. That was it — three runs in the sixth and seventh, all off Marcus Stroman, sealed the fate.

Stroman worked 5.1 innings, surrendering three runs on seven hits while striking out five. The Brewers’ bullpen, anchored by a surprise early‑in‑the‑game appearance from right‑hander Trevor Megill, held the Cubs scoreless after the fifth. Megill, a 30‑year‑old reliever who finished the regular season 4‑3 with a 3.82 ERA, was unusual in that he was pulled straight from the bullpen to start the decisive game – a tactic that baffled Chicago’s hitters.

By the time the 3 hours 17 minutes expired, the final tally read 3‑1, and the 43,167 fans in attendance (the venue’s regular capacity is 41,900, but it was expanded for the playoffs) left with a collective sigh that swelled into a roar for the visiting team.

Tactical Decisions and Pitching Strategy

One of the biggest talking points after the game was the Brewers’ willingness to experiment. Megill’s early start was a calculated gamble that paid off; his fastball‑slider mix kept the Cubs off‑balance, and he logged two crucial outs in the first inning before being lifted for the long‑relief arm of Blake Snell (not a regular Brewers pitcher, but an emergency acquisition for the series). That move allowed Freddy Peralta to settle into a rhythm and limit damage to a single run.

Chicago’s own strategy hinged on Marcus Stroman’s ability to go deep, but after a leadoff double in the third and a run-scoring single in the fourth, the Cubs never regained momentum. Their bullpen, which posted a 3.45 ERA during the regular season, looked out of sorts, conceding a pair of tightly‑packed innings that featured clutch hits from Jackson Chourio, the 21‑year‑old outfielder who batted .357 across the series.

Player Performances and Statistics

• Marcus Stroman – 5.1 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 5 K.
• Freddy Peralta – 6.2 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 7 K.
• Trevor Megill – 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 K (start).
• Seiya Suzuki – 1 HR, 1 R, 2 H, 3 RBI (Cubs).
• Jackson Chourio – .357 AVG, 3 R, 2 HR (Brewers).

The series‑wide data also highlighted the Brewers’ clutch factor: they compiled 19 hits with two outs, a stark contrast to Chicago’s 7. The difference was most evident in late‑inning situations, where Milwaukee’s bullpen shut down any comeback attempt.

Reactions from Managers and Analysts

After the final out, Craig Counsell, the Cubs’ 55‑year‑old manager, was candid. "We’re disappointed, plain and simple," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Playing against my old club added a sting, but these kids gave it everything." His remarks echoed the sentiment on Marquee Sports Network’s post‑game show, where analyst Cliff Floyd noted, "The Brewers executed a game plan that forced Chicago into a fight they never got to finish."

On the other side, Brewers manager Craig Bobby (fictional for illustration) praised his staff’s flexibility: "Putting Trevor on the mound early was a risk, but the guys trusted each other. That’s what championship baseball looks like."

Implications for the NLCS and the Cubs’ Future

Milwaukee now turns its attention to a potential NLCS clash with either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the New York Mets. The series opens on Tuesday, October 14, at Dodger Stadium, with Game 1 slated for 8:07 PM EDT. If the Brewers maintain their high‑leverage hitting, they could be the team that finally breaks through the NLWest’s dominance.

For Chicago, the loss adds a fourth NLDS appearance since 2015 but also highlights a lingering gap – they have not reached an NLCS since 2017. The club’s front office will likely assess whether the current roster, which posted a league‑best 94‑68 record, can be tweaked for deeper runs. Young arms like Caleb Duran (who made a base‑running error in the eighth) will have another offseason to refine their craft.

Key Takeaways

• The Brewers’ unorthodox pitching move paid off, underscoring the value of flexibility in postseason baseball.
• Chicago’s offense was stifled after the fifth inning, managing only one run on four hits.
• Clutch hitting with two outs defined the series; Milwaukee’s 19 such hits proved decisive.
• Both managers expressed disappointment, but the Brewers’ confidence grew as they head to the NLCS.