BREAKING: The Milwaukee Brewers soared to a commanding 7-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on October 9, 2023, moving within one win of the National League Championship Series. With this win, the Brewers now hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five Division Series, setting the stage for Game 3 at Wrigley Field on Wednesday.
This latest triumph is monumental for Milwaukee, who is seeking their first postseason series win since 2018. Historically, teams that secure a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five series have triumphed 80 out of 90 times, with 54 of those resulting in sweeps.
In a thrilling showcase at home, Andrew Vaughn and Jackson Chourio each launched three-run homers, marking the first time in Brewers postseason history that two players achieved this feat in a single game. William Contreras added a solo shot, breaking a 3-all tie in the third inning.
“We didn’t put enough pressure on them,”
said Cubs manager Craig Counsell, reflecting on his team’s missed opportunities. “We had two at-bats with runners in scoring position today, and that’s a sign we’re not putting enough pressure on.”
Chicago’s Seiya Suzuki hit a 440-foot three-run homer in the first inning, giving the Cubs an early advantage. However, after that, the Cubs struggled to capitalize on their chances as Brewers’ relievers Nick Mears, Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, Jared Koenig, Trevor Megill, and Abner Uribe combined for 7 1/3 innings of shutout relief.
Misiorowski, who came on in the third inning, was particularly impressive, hitting over 100 mph on 31 of his 57 pitches. His first eight pitches clocked in at a blistering 102.6 mph or higher, peaking at 104.3 mph.
Contreras ignited the Brewers’ offense with his bomb, but it was Vaughn’s first-inning drive that tied the game, marking a historic moment as the first playoff game where both teams hit a three-run homer in the first inning.
Chourio, returning from a hamstring tightness that limited him in Game 1, went 3 for 3 with three RBIs in Game 2, demonstrating his resilience and skill on the field.
The stakes are high as the Brewers prepare to continue their playoff journey in Chicago. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Milwaukee can secure a place in the NLCS for the first time in five years.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the Brewers aim to make history and advance in the postseason.
