Brewers Top Cubs 3-1 in NLDS Game 5, Advance to NLCS vs Dodgers

When Milwaukee Brewers edged the Chicago Cubs 3-1 in the winner‑take‑all Game 5 of the National League Division Series on Oct 11, 2025, the city of Milwaukee erupted like a bottle‑shaken soda can. The victory not only capped a hard‑fought series but also booked a showdown with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series starting Monday.

Series Overview

The NLDS began at American Family Field on Oct 6, where the Brewers claimed the first two games behind a mix of solid pitching and timely hitting. The Cubs, coached by former Brewer skipper Craig Counsell, responded with two dramatic wins at Wrigley Field, turning a 0‑2 deficit into a 2‑2 tie. That swing set the stage for a high‑stakes Game 5 that would decide who moved on.

Chicago’s comeback was fueled by a late‑inning rally in Game 3 and a clutch two‑run home run by Seiya Suzuki in Game 4. Yet the Cubs’ offensive engine sputtered when it mattered most – the club finished the series hitting just .125 with runners in scoring position (5‑for‑40). The Brewers, meanwhile, posted a .283 series batting average and limited Chicago to just four hits in the decisive contest.

Game 5 Recap

Pitcher Aaron Ashby opened for Milwaukee, striking out the first two batters before navigating a 2‑2 jam in the third inning. Ashby’s defining moment came with two outs and bases loaded: he fanned Kyle Tucker with a high‑fastball that seemed to hang for a heartbeat – a swing‑and‑miss that shifted momentum.

On the Cubs’ side, Seiya Suzuki supplied the lone home run, a solo shot to left‑center that accounted for Chicago’s only run. Michael Busch reached scoring position early but was stranded when the Brewers’ reliever Chad Patrick induced a groundout to end the inning.

Milwaukee added insurance in the fifth with a solo homer by Ian Happ, and a two‑run blast from Colin Rea in the seventh sealed the 3‑1 final.

Key Performances

• Ashby delivered six innings of work, allowing just one run and striking out eight.
• Reliever Patrick shut down the middle of the order in the eighth with two scoreless innings.
• Chicago’s offense was led by Suzuki’s lone homer; the rest of the lineup combined for three hits, all singles.
• Defensive miscues were minimal – only one error (by Cubs shortstop) that didn’t affect the score.

Managerial Decisions

Brewers manager Pat Murphy earned plaudits for his timing of bullpen usage. After Ashby’s sixth inning start, Murphy brought in Patrick to face Suzuki, a move that fractured Chicago’s rhythm. Earlier, Murphy’s decision to let Ashby work through a 2‑2 situation paid dividends, as the left‑hander demonstrated poise under pressure.

Cubs skipper Counsell stuck with his starter Zack Collins despite early trouble, a gamble that backfired when Collins surrendered two runs in the third. Counsell later lamented the lack of “aggressive baserunning” in his post‑game interview, noting that the team “never got the timing right when it mattered.”

Post‑Game Reactions

Analysts Cole Wright and Cliff Floyd, calling in from Marquee Sports Network, highlighted the Brewers’ disciplined approach at the plate. Floyd said, "They’re not chasing anything – they’re drawing fouls, they’re making the pitcher work. The Cubs were just swinging away and missing.”

Meanwhile, Murphy praised his squad’s mental toughness, noting that “the guys knew what was on the line and they delivered when the count was two‑out, two‑strike.” Counsell, visibly disappointed, admitted that “the dream of a comeback still feels real, but tonight the baseball gods weren’t on our side.”

Implications and Looking Ahead

Milwaukee now faces the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that boasts a 102‑win regular season and a veteran‑heavy roster. The Brewers will need to lean on their bullpen depth and the same clash‑avoidance mindset that carried them through the NLDS.

For Chicago, the loss closes a season that, despite a 92‑70 record, ended in disappointment. The Cubs will enter the offseason with questions about their offensive philosophy and whether adjustments in hitting approach can raise that .125 RISP number to a more competitive level.

Key Facts

• Final Score: Brewers 3, Cubs 1
• Date: Oct 11, 2025
• Location: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
• Winning Pitcher: Aaron Ashby (6 IP, 1 R, 8 K)
• Series MVP (informal): Aaron Ashby – his strikeout streak kept Chicago off‑balance