The MLB Playoffs always seem to pull fans in, and this year’s 2025 National League Division Series (NLDS) has been no exception. The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers clashed in a wild Game 5 that had everyone glued to their screens.
From clutch hits to gutsy strategy, this game really captured what makes postseason baseball so addictive. Let’s dig into the highlights, standout players, and those moments you just can’t forget from this Cubs-Brewers showdown.
Game Overview: Cubs vs. Brewers
The Cubs and Brewers, fierce NL Central rivals, met for a winner-takes-all Game 5 in the NLDS. Both teams had shown off their strengths throughout the series, so the final game already felt tense before the first pitch.
The Cubs forced Game 5 after taking Game 4, maybe giving them a slight edge. But the Brewers weren’t about to let their home crowd down without a fight.
First Inning Fireworks
The action started right away. Cubs’ leadoff man Nico Hoerner ripped a double to left, and Ian Happ followed with a single, putting runners on the corners with nobody out.
Corbin Burnes, pitching for Milwaukee, got a strikeout, but Dansby Swanson’s sacrifice fly brought Hoerner home. Cubs up 1-0, just like that.
The Brewers came right back in their half. Christian Yelich singled, then Willy Adames doubled to put runners in scoring position. Rowdy Tellez grounded to second, but Yelich scored to tie it up at 1-1.
The inning wrapped up without more runs, but you could already feel the intensity ratcheting up.
Mid-Game Momentum Shifts
Both teams had flashes of brilliance and some missed chances as the game moved along. Cubs starter Marcus Stroman shook off a rocky first inning and retired the next nine batters in order.
Burnes settled in too, racking up five strikeouts through three innings. It felt like each pitcher was just waiting for the other to blink.
Key Defensive Plays
Defense really mattered in this one. In the fourth, Cubs third baseman Patrick Wisdom made a diving catch to take a hit away from Luis Urías.
That play kept a possible rally from brewing and fired up the Cubs’ dugout. Later, Brewers center fielder Lorenzo Cain made a leaping catch at the warning track, robbing Seiya Suzuki of extra bases in the sixth.
Cain’s grab kept the game tied and gave the fans something to roar about.
Late-Inning Drama
The tension just kept building. The Cubs finally broke through in the seventh when Cody Bellinger hammered a solo homer to right, putting Chicago up 2-1.
The Brewers wouldn’t go quietly. In the eighth, Yelich and Adames singled, then Tellez drew a walk to load the bases with two outs.
Clutch Performances
With everything on the line, Cubs reliever Adbert Alzolay came in to face Keston Hiura. Alzolay got Hiura swinging at a high fastball to end the threat.
In the ninth, Hoerner added an insurance run with a clutch RBI single, making it 3-1 Cubs. The Brewers put the tying runs on base with no outs in their half, thanks to a walk and a single.
Craig Kimbrel, the Cubs’ closer, got the call to finish things off.
Final Showdown
Kimbrel, a veteran with plenty of big moments behind him, showed his nerves of steel. He struck out the next two batters, turning the stadium into a pressure cooker with just one out left.
Yelich stepped in as the Brewers’ last hope. He drove a deep fly to center, but it came up just short—caught on the warning track to seal the Cubs’ 3-1 win and send them to the NLCS.
Post-Game Reactions
The Cubs’ dugout went wild as they punched their ticket to the next round. Manager David Ross gave props to his team’s resilience, pointing out big moments from both veterans and younger guys.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell tipped his cap to his team’s fight and promised they’d be back stronger next season. Gotta admire that attitude.
Looking Ahead
Now the Cubs look ahead to the NLCS, where they’ll face either the Dodgers or the Braves. They’ll need to keep riding this wave if they want to keep their postseason run going.
Key Takeaways
- Clutch Performances: Cody Bellinger and Adbert Alzolay really stepped up when it mattered.
- Defensive Excellence: Patrick Wisdom and Lorenzo Cain made some spectacular plays that kept things close.
- Managerial Decisions: David Ross and Craig Counsell made some gutsy calls that shaped the game’s outcome.
The 2025 MLB Playoffs are still rolling, and honestly, there’s no telling what wild moments are coming next. If you want a deep dive or the latest on Cubs vs. Brewers Game 5, check out the full story on ESPN.
We’ll keep following the Cubs’ postseason run, so stick around for more updates and a few hot takes along the way.
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