Cubs Blank Brewers 6-0 in Game 4, Force Winner‑Take‑All Game 5

• 14 Oct, 2025
• Archer Elmsley
• 0 Comments

When Chicago Cubs faced the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on NLDS Game 4, the wind blew a little colder and the scoreboard read a stark 6-0. The win forced a winner‑take‑all Game 5 on Sunday, October 11, at American Family Field, keeping Chicago’s postseason hopes alive and sending Milwaukee home with a bitter taste.

Historic First‑Inning Homers Keep the Cubs on a Roll

Outfielder Ian Happ opened the scoring with a solo shot off Brewers starter Freddy Peralta in the bottom of the first. That blast gave the Cubs the distinction of being the first team in MLB history to homer in the first inning of four straight postseason games. The record‑setting streak began in the wild-card round and has now stretched into the division series, a fact that had fans at the 1060 West Addison Street venue chanting the name "Happ" with every pitch.

Pitching Duel and Defensive Highlights

Matthew Boyd delivered four immaculate innings, striking out three and allowing just one hit before yielding the ball to the bullpen. He left with a lead that never wavered. On the other side, Peralta, who logged 176 strikeouts during the regular season, lasted only 4.1 innings, surrendering two runs on four hits and three walks. The Brewers’ defense made a few heroic moves, most notably first baseman Rhys Hoskins's diving stop on a Michael Busch line drive that could have turned into extra bases.

The Cubs’ relief corps—Porter Hodge, Brandon Hughes and Adbert Alzolay—combined for five scoreless innings. Alzolay closed the night with a three‑strikeout ninth, earning the save and cementing the shutout.

Managerial Storylines: Counsell’s Revenge?

Manager Craig Counsell, a former Brewer who helmed Milwaukee from 2015‑2020, seemed to relish the chance to out‑smart his old club. In a pre‑game interview on Tuesday, October 7, he explained the decision to start Dillon Horton in a bullpen session despite a rib injury, showing the level of preparation that has defined Chicago’s run. "We want our arms ready for Game 5," Counsell said, his tone equal parts confidence and caution.

What Game 5 Means for Both Clubs

If Chicago pulls off the win in Milwaukee, they’ll meet the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, a matchup that could set the stage for a World Series showdown. The Dodgers, already booked to host the NLCS beginning October 14 at Dodger Stadium, are riding a hot offensive wave, so the Cubs would need their bullpen to stay airtight.

For the Brewers, a loss ends a season that saw them finish 95‑67, third in the NL Central. The disappointment will be sharp, especially after stealing Game 1 and Game 3 at home. The franchise will likely evaluate the bullpen’s late‑innings lapses and consider whether the short‑stop swap that brought in Nico Hoerner earlier in the series paid off.

Series Background and Key Numbers

• Series format: 2‑3‑2, higher seed (Cubs) hosts Games 1, 2, 5.
• Game 4 attendance: 41,412 fans.
• Pitching line: Boyd (4 IP, 0 R), Peralta (4.1 IP, 2 R).
• Offensive surge: Ian Happ (1 HR), Christopher Morel (2‑for‑4, 2 RBI), Miguel Amaya (2‑run single).
• Historical note: first team ever to homer in the first inning of four consecutive postseason games.

Looking Ahead: The Road to the NLCS

Tuesday’s NLCS will pit the Cubs against the Dodgers, who clinched the NL West with a 102‑60 record. Analysts are already debating whether Chicago’s relatively deep rotation—Matt Boyd, Ben Brown, Ryan Weber—can match up with Los Angeles’s ace, Clayton Kershaw. The narrative will likely focus on the Cubs’ ability to sustain their first‑inning power while keeping the bullpen fresh.