The Milwaukee Brewers lit up the scoreboard early, securing a commanding 9–3 victory over the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field. In the sweltering 100-degree heat, the Brewers wasted no time in establishing dominance, taking a 6-1 lead after the first inning. This victory marked an undefeated start for the Brewers in the postseason, while the Cubs saw their record shift to 2-1.
Brewers Dominate Early
The Brewers’ offense was relentless, amassing 13 hits against the Cubs’ pitching staff. Freddy Peralta claimed the win, delivering a solid 5.67 innings performance, striking out nine and allowing just two earned runs. Matthew Boyd, on the other hand, struggled significantly, surrendering six runs in just two-thirds of an inning.
Milwaukee’s Julió Chourio was the standout performer, contributing three hits and driving in three runs. Contributions came from all over the lineup, with Brice Turang, William Contreras, and Blake Perkins each collecting doubles. Chourio’s prowess at the plate proved pivotal in building the Brewers’ initial lead.
On the Cubs’ side, their three runs came via the long ball with homers from Nico Hoerner, Michael Busch, and Ian Happ. Despite these efforts, the Cubs couldn’t muster enough offense to threaten the Brewers’ comfortable lead. Happ’s homer in particular was a highlight for the Chicago offense, providing a brief spark in the sixth inning.
Cubs’ Pitching Struggles
Matt Boyd’s early exit forced the Cubs to rely heavily on their bullpen, with Mike Soroka, Aaron Civale, and Brandon Brown stepping in. Soroka gave up three runs in his inning of work, while Civale and Brown managed to hold the Brewers scoreless in the later innings. Despite the shutdown efforts from Civale and Brown, the damage had already been done in the first two frames.
Freddy Peralta’s performance was complemented by Aaron Ashby, who pitched a clean 1.33 innings of relief. The Cubs found themselves stymied by the Brewers’ pitching, with only three hits surrendered after the sixth inning. Milwaukee’s solid defensive play also contributed, as the Brewers committed no errors compared to the Cubs’ one.
Looking Ahead
With this win, the Brewers maintain a firm grip on their postseason path, showing why they finished the regular season with a 97-65 record. The Cubs, having finished five games back in the NL Central, will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for the next encounter against Milwaukee. Both teams will have a day to adjust before facing off again in the postseason.
The Cubs will have the advantage of home field in two of the next three games after returning to Wrigley Field. Their strong home record of 50-31 during the regular season may provide the edge needed to rebound. The Brewers, meanwhile, will look to continue their impressive road form, having secured 45 wins away from home in the regular season.
Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy will undoubtedly be pleased with his team’s all-around performance. The Brewers’ blend of timely hitting and strong pitching leaves them well-positioned for success in the upcoming games. Meanwhile, Cubs’ manager Craig Counsell will need to rally his squad to find consistency both on the mound and at the plate.
As the postseason heats up, both teams will be scrutinizing their performance, looking to capitalize on strengths and address any weaknesses. For the Cubs, better starts from their pitchers will be critical to avoid falling into early deficits. The Brewers, on the other hand, will aim to maintain their offensive aggression that has served them well so far.
The next showdown between these NL Central rivals is set for October 6th at 9:08 PM at American Family Field, where the Cubs will aim to level the series. Milwaukee will be eager to capitalize on home-field advantage once again, aiming to extend their postseason success. With both teams striving for the ultimate prize, fans can anticipate another exciting game in this storied rivalry.
