Brewers clinch NLDS Game 5 over Cubs, advance to NLCS

When Milwaukee Brewers edged the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on NLDS Game 5American Family Field, the series‑deciding showdown that sent Milwaukee to the National League Championship Series, everyone in the stadium felt the tremor of a city finally breaking its four‑year postseason slump.

The winning run came courtesy of Andrew Vaughn, whose go‑ahead homer in the fifth inning proved the difference between a night of nervous jitter and outright celebration. The crowd of 43,872 – the loudest in the series – roared as the ball cleared the left‑field fence, a moment that will be replayed on highlight reels for years.

Historical backdrop

Milwaukee entered the 2025 postseason with a franchise‑record 103–59 ledger, the best mark in the National League. Their dominance at home, a 57‑24 record at American Family Field, set the stage for a classic home‑field duel against a Cubs squad that had clawed its way back from a 2‑1 series deficit.

For Chicago, the National League Division Series was a chance to finally overcome a decade‑long curse that has haunted the team in October. The Cubs, coming off a crushing 3‑0 loss in Game 4, were desperate to force a Game 5 – and they did, thanks to a three‑run blast by Seiya Suzuki in the first inning.

Game recap and key moments

Game 5 began with fireworks. Suzuki’s early power set the tone, but the Brewers answered almost immediately. William Contreras beat out a grounder up the middle, and a mis‑thrown ball at second allowed him to round third, keeping the threat alive.

The Tigers‑like bullpen, orchestrated by manager Pat Murphy, kept Chicago’s hitters off balance. Reliever Aaron Ashby entered in the fifth and delivered 2.1 scoreless innings, earning the win as he shut down a rally that could have snatched the game back.

While the Cubs tried to mount a comeback, a key defensive lapse by Dansby Swanson – a hurried throw that sailed past the cutoff man – gave the Brewers a second chance. That misplay set the stage for Vaughn’s heroics.

Vaughn’s fifth‑inning homer, a towering shot over the left‑field wall, pushed Milwaukee into a lead they would never relinquish. The run was enough; the Brewers added a solitary run in the eighth thanks to a sac fly by Jackson Chourio, extending his postseason hitting streak to seven straight games despite nursing a tight hamstring.

Managerial decisions that shaped the outcome

Pat Murphy’s bullpen choreography was the difference. He deployed the versatile Devin Williams for the ninth, who closed out the game with poise. On the other side, Cubs manager Craig Counsell faced criticism for leaving Shota Imanaga on short rest – a decision that never materialized into a start, but the cloud of that choice lingered throughout the night.

Counterpart Nate Pearson took the loss after surrendering the decisive run in the fifth, his 0.00 ERA for the night shattered by a single swing.

Statistical analysis: Power versus pitching

One of the season’s most telling trends resurfaced in Game 5: the Brewers win‑to‑loss ratio when hitting at least one home run was a staggering 70‑36, compared with 29‑31 in games where they were held homer‑less. According to Sportshandle’s pre‑game projections, the total‑run line sat at 7.5; the game finished with just four runs, sending the under bettors into a frenzy.

Aaron Ashby’s 2.1 scoreless relief innings lowered his postseason ERA to 1.35, while the bullpen’s collective WHIP dipped to 0.97 for the series – a figure that underscores why Milwaukee’s pitching staff, especially the relievers, has been the league’s most reliable unit this year.

The Cubs, on the other hand, saw their slugging dip below expectations. Michael Busch entered Game 5 with a postseason tally of four home runs, yet he went 0‑3, a stark contrast to his leadoff blast in Game 4.

Impact and what’s next for the Brewers

Advancing to the NLCS means the Brewers will meet the winner of the Dodgers‑Mets duel. A potential showdown against the Los Angeles Dodgers would pit two powerhouse clubs against each other, while a clash with the New York Mets could revive an old rivalry.

For the city of Milwaukee, the win is more than a baseball result; it’s a cultural lift. The last NLCS appearance was in 2021, and the city’s fanbase, still feeling the sting of recent early exits, now has a fresh narrative to rally around.

On the player front, Jackson Chourio’s continued hot streak and Aaron Ashby’s emerging role as a late‑inning stopper give the Brewers a deep well of confidence. Meanwhile, Pat Murphy’s strategic use of the bullpen could become a template for other clubs aiming to maximize home‑field advantage in October.

Player spotlights

Andrew Vaughn – The 28‑year‑old slugger’s clutch homer was the clean break the Brewers needed. He’s now finished the NLDS at .333/.417/.667, a line that cements his status as a postseason performer.

Jackson Chourio – At 21, the Venezuelan phenom showed veteran poise, extending his hitting streak despite a nagging hamstring. His .321 average in the postseason hints at a future star in the making.

Aaron Ashby – The young right‑hander’s calm under pressure earned him the win and positioned him as a reliable late‑relief option for future high‑leverage situations.

• Series final score: Brewers 3, Cubs 2
• Key stats: Brewers 70‑36 with a homer; Cubs 14‑8 record for Imanaga (regular season)
• Attendance: 43,872 (series high)
• Game duration: 3 hours 17 minutes