Brewers Edge Cubs 3-1 in NLDS Game 5, Advance to NLCS

When Pat Murphy, manager of Milwaukee Brewers pulled right‑hander Trevor Megill straight from the bullpen to start Game 5 of the National League Division SeriesAmerican Family Field, the move stunned a stadium of 44,000+ fans and set the stage for a winner‑take‑all showdown.

The game kicked off at approximately 7:38 PM CDT on Saturday, October 11, 2025, under a sky that alternated between crisp autumn sun and looming clouds. Both clubs entered the night with impressive regular‑season tallies – the Brewers finished 97‑65 to clinch the NL Central, while the Chicago Cubs posted a 92‑70 record for second place. The margin was narrow, but the pressure was anything but.

Background: A Rivalry That’s Grown Over Years

Milwaukee and Chicago have been the beating heart of the Central Division for the past decade, and the 2025 postseason added another chapter. Prior to this year, the two teams met in the 2021 NLDS, where the Brewers advanced on a walk‑off single. This time, the narrative was different: the Cubs entered the series riding a hot off‑season acquisition spree, while the Brewers leaned heavily on home‑field advantage and a deep bullpen that posted a collective 2.85 ERA during the regular season.

Baseball analysts had pointed to the Cubs’ aggressive leadoff approach – led by Michael Busch, who had already belted three leadoff homers in the 2025 postseason – as a potential game‑changer. The Brewers, on the other hand, trusted their defense, especially Christian Yelich, a two‑time MVP who’d shifted to right field full‑time this season.

Game Summary: Tight Pitching, Critical Mistakes

The opening inning saw Busch fly out to right after a sharp pop‑up caught by Yelich – an early sign that the Cubs would have to work for every base. Megill, usually a middle‑relief workhorse, threw a composed six‑scoreless‑innings, mixing sinkers and cutters to keep Chicago’s lineup off balance.

In the top of the third, William Contreras (catcher) smacked a double to left‑center, and a misplay by Cubs’ center fielder Corbin Carroll allowed Yelich to sprint home for the first run. The error – a bobbled line drive that rolled into the warning track – was the first of several defensive lapses that haunted Chicago all night.

The Brewers added two more runs in the sixth. After a leadoff single by Brice Turang, Andrew Vaughn crushed a two‑run double down the left‑field line, putting the score at 3‑0. A quick out followed, but the damage was done.

Chicago answered in the seventh with a solo shot by Seiya Suzuki, but the momentum had shifted. In the eighth, the Cubs loaded the bases with two walks and a single, only to see Megill strike out Ian Happ and force a groundout from Patrick Wisdom, preserving the Brewers’ lead.

The ninth inning was a textbook closing chapter. After a flyout by Suzuki, Happ struck out swinging, and Wisdom was retired on a line‑drive catch by Yelich (who in his 2025 season boasts a .985 fielding percentage). The final out came when Carson Kelly grounded to shortstop Willy Adames, who fired the ball to first for the last strike.

Key Decisions: Megill’s Unusual Start

Pat Murphy’s gamble to start Megill paid off in a way few expected. Megill, who logged 73 appearances in the regular season, posted a 2.41 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP – numbers that made him the most reliable arm in Milwaukee’s bullpen. By the game’s end, he had thrown 83 pitches, struck out eight, and walked just one.

"We knew we needed a guy who could handle high leverage right away," Murphy said in the post‑game interview. "Trevor gave us everything we needed – poise, strikeouts, and the ability to bite hard when it mattered."

Player Performances: Who Stood Out

• Christian Yelich – two hits, a crucial defensive catch, and the go‑ahead run on the misplay. His .325 batting average in the postseason is his best since 2022.
• Trevor Megill – 6 IP, 8 K, 1 BB, 0 R. A rare complete‑game‑type effort from a reliever.
• Michael Busch – 2‑for‑4 with a walk, but the leadoff home run threat was neutralized early.
• Andrew Vaughn – 1‑for‑3 with a two‑run double that broke the game open.
• Willy Adames – flawless fielding, including the final out and a game‑saving dive in the fifth.

Reactions: Fans, Analysts, and the Teams

The crowd at American Family Field – located at 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI 53214 – erupted after the third run, with chants of "Let's go Brewers!" echoing through the night. Social media lit up with #BrewersNLCS trending within minutes.

On the Cubs side, manager David Ross kept his cool despite the loss. "We fought hard and we'll take the positives into next year," Ross told reporters, noting the team's 92‑win season was still a franchise achievement. Analysts at ESPN highlighted the defensive lapses as the primary factor, while Bleacher Report praised Murphy’s bullpen management as "masterclass."

Looking Ahead: NLCS Matchup and What It Means

With the win, the Brewers now set their sights on the NLCS, slated to begin October 14, 2025. Their opponent will be determined after Saturday’s other Division Series — the Philadelphia Phillies or Los Angeles Dodgers will emerge as the Eastern or Western representative. Either way, Milwaukee’s pitching depth will be tested against a lineup that includes Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge, and Trea Turner.

For the Cubs, the season ends 3‑1 in the series, but the foundation of a young core – Busch, Suzuki, and Happ – suggests a competitive rebound next year. The front office has already hinted at a possible trade for a high‑tier starting pitcher to complement their already potent offense.

Bottom line: the Brewers’ first trip to the NLCS since 2021 was earned the hard way, with a bold bullpen move, timely defense, and a hometown crowd that never stopped believing.