UPDATE: The Milwaukee Brewers have just defeated the Chicago Cubs 3-1 in a thrilling Game 5, advancing to the National League Championship Series (NLCS) for the first time since 2018. This victory marks a significant moment as the Brewers shake off recent playoff disappointments.
In a decisive showdown on October 7, 2023, Andrew Vaughn delivered a pivotal tiebreaking homer in the fourth inning, while William Contreras and Brice Turang also contributed with home runs. The Brewers displayed a strong collective effort on the mound, utilizing a mix of pitchers to hold the Cubs to just four hits throughout the game.
This win is particularly sweet for Milwaukee fans, as it not only secures a playoff series victory but also knocks out Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who previously held the title of the Brewers’ winningest manager. The victory came amid a sellout crowd at American Family Field, who celebrated the defeat of their biggest rival.
The Brewers, now with seven playoff appearances in the last eight years, are gearing up for a matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who recently triumphed over the Philadelphia Phillies. The NLCS begins on Monday at Milwaukee, with the Dodgers currently favored at -210 to win the series, according to ESPN BET Sportsbook.
In this winner-take-all showdown, all runs came via home runs, each struck with two outs. Contreras launched a 389-foot shot to left-center in the first inning, while Vaughn’s 3-2 pitch blast broke a 1-1 tie. Turang provided an insurance run with a 416-foot homer in the seventh, sealing the victory.
Chicago’s Seiya Suzuki initially put the Cubs on the scoreboard with a solo home run off rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, but that would be the only run they managed against the Brewers’ pitching staff. Misiorowski, who secured his second win of the series, struck out three batters and held the Cubs scoreless after the second inning.
Notably, the Cubs had forced a Game 5 after winning two consecutive games at Wrigley Field, attempting to become one of the few teams to overcome a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five playoff series. However, the Brewers’ resilient performance ensured they would not be the team to achieve that feat.
As fans celebrate this long-awaited postseason triumph, all eyes will now be on the Brewers as they prepare to take on the formidable Dodgers. The intensity of the rivalry and the stakes of the upcoming series are sure to elevate the excitement among baseball fans.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Brewers embark on their quest for the World Series, aiming to make history in what could be a landmark postseason.
