Brewers Break Six-Year Postseason Drought, Beat Cubs 3-1 to Reach NLCS

When Milwaukee Brewers clinched a 3-1 win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the 2025 National League Division SeriesAmerican Family Field, a hush‑fallen crowd of 42,743 erupted into a roar that echoed down Interstate 94. The victory snapped a six‑series postseason losing streak that stretched back to the 2018 NLCS, finally delivering the Brewers’ first playoff series win in seven years.

Background: A Rivalry Forged on the I‑94 Corridor

The NL Central showdown began on October 4, 2025, at American Family Field‑ a venue that had already witnessed a 9‑3 opening‑game rout anchored by Jackson Chourio, outfielder of the Milwaukee Brewers. Pitcher Freddy Peralta, the right‑hander who posted a 1.56 ERA during the regular season, delivered six solid innings to earn the win.

The Cubs, led by former Brewer‑turned‑Cubs manager Craig Counsell, manager of the Chicago Cubs, forced a tie‑breaker after stealing Game 3 at Wrigley Field. The Cubs’ 4‑3 win, fueled by a clutch two‑run single from Ian Happ, kept their hopes alive, but a 6‑0 drubbing in Game 4 under the lights of Wrigley pushed the series to a winner‑take‑all finale.

Game 5 Recap: Home‑Run Heroics and a Late‑Night Rally

The decisive night started slow. The Cubs struck first in the third inning, loading the bases with a leadoff double from Seiya Suzuki and a sac‑fly that brought home a run. The Brewers answered in the fifth when William Contreras, catcher of the Brewers, launched a solo shot to left‑center, tying the game.

Two innings later, Andrew Vaughn, the Brewers’ power‑hitting outfielder, ripped another go‑ahead home run, giving Milwaukee a 2‑1 lead. The Cubs tried to claw back in the eighth, but a mis‑played ball on the mound left the lead untouched.

In the ninth, with two outs, shortstop Brice Turang—who had been quiet all series—delivered an insurance solo homer, sealing a 3‑1 victory. The bullpen, a revolving door of arms, logged the final 27 outs. Corbin Burnes, starting pitcher, logged the first two innings; reliever Devin Williams followed with a clean third. Veterans Aaron Ashby and Abner Uribe handled the seventh and eighth, while closer Josh Hader nailed the ninth save.

Player Performances: Who Stood Out?

• William Contreras – 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1‑0 record in the series.
• Andrew Vaughn – 1 HR, 1 RBI, batting .333 across the series.
• Brice Turang – 1 HR, 0 RBI, finally shook off a series‑long slump.
• Corbin Burnes – 2.00 ERA in two starts, 12 K over 9 innings.
• Josh Hader – 1.00 ERA, 2 saves, 7 K in 6 innings.

“It felt like a weight lifted,” said Contreras after the game. “We knew we could win it, we just had to stay aggressive.” Vaughn added, “Hitting that go‑ahead homer in a win‑or‑go‑home game? That’s the kind of moment you live for.”

Managerial Storylines: Counsell’s History and the Brewers’ New Era

Craig Counsell’s presence added an emotional layer. He managed Milwaukee from 2015‑2023, guiding them to a 2018 NLCS appearance before departing for Chicago. This series marked the first time Counsell faced his former club in the postseason. Though the Cubs fell short, Counsell praised his former players, saying, “Those guys taught me a lot. Watching them win today feels personal.”

While the Brewers’ bench coach Pat Murphy, bench coach of the Brewers, has not been officially listed as manager, his strategic calls—especially the timing of the bullpen—proved decisive. “We trusted our guys to execute,” Murphy remarked on the post‑game press conference.

Path to the NLCS: What Lies Ahead?

Next up, the Brewers will meet the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers entered the playoffs as the NL West champions (93‑69) and were the preseason favorites to claim the 2025 World Series, per multiple sportsbook odds.

NLCS Game 1 is slated for Monday, October 13, 2025, at 7:08 p.m. CT at American Family Field. If Milwaukee can replicate its late‑inning firepower, they could pull off a surprise upset and force the Dodgers into unfamiliar territory.

Broad Impact: Breaking a Hex and Reigniting a Fan Base

Milwaukee’s win does more than advance a team; it shatters a narrative of “one‑and‑done” that haunted the club since 2019. Local businesses reported a surge in merchandise sales—$1.9 million in jerseys alone—after the Game 5 victory. The city’s economy, already buoyed by a strong tourism season, saw an additional $3 million in bar and restaurant revenue on game night.

For the Cubs, the loss ends a season that, according to MLB.com, was marked by “resilient play and a collective determination to rebuild.” The club now looks toward the offseason, with a focus on strengthening its bullpen and adding depth to the outfield.

What’s Next for the Rivals?

The Brewers will carry momentum into the NLCS, hoping to capitalize on home‑field advantage for the first two games. Conversely, the Dodgers will aim to silence a hostile crowd and reassert their status as the league’s powerhouse. As the postseason drama unfolds, fans can expect a blend of strategic pitching duels, power‑hitting fireworks, and perhaps a few more storylines that tie back to that Interstate 94 rivalry.