The stage is set for one of the most compelling showdowns in recent National League Division Series history as the Milwaukee Brewers host the Chicago Cubs in a decisive Game 5 at American Family Field. The first pitch is scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 8:08 p.m. ET, with fans able to catch the action live on TBS, truTV, HBO Max, or via streaming platforms like Sling and DIRECTV. After a rollercoaster series that’s seen both teams flex their postseason muscle, only one will advance to the next round of the MLB playoffs.
This best-of-five series has been nothing short of dramatic. The home team has claimed victory in every contest so far, making the Brewers’ home-field advantage a crucial factor heading into the winner-take-all finale. Chicago, after dropping the first two games on the road—by scores of 9-3 and 7-3—stormed back at Wrigley Field, outscoring the Brewers 10-3 across Games 3 and 4. Their 6-0 shutout in Game 4 not only tied the series but also sent a clear message: the Cubs are alive and kicking, and momentum may just be on their side.
Leading the charge for Chicago has been Nico Hoerner, the ever-reliable infielder who’s recorded a hit in every single Cubs postseason game. Hoerner is 8-for-17 in the NLDS after his three-hit performance in Game 4, and his season stats are equally impressive: a .297 batting average, seven home runs, 61 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases on 35 attempts. He’s scored 89 runs this year, and his consistency at the plate and on the base paths has been a major spark for the Cubs throughout October.
But Hoerner isn’t the only Cub making noise. Michael Busch has emerged as a power threat at the top of the lineup, slugging four home runs this postseason—three of them coming in this very series. Busch’s timely hitting has given Chicago’s offense the jolt it needed to claw back from a 0-2 deficit and force this do-or-die Game 5.
On the mound, the Cubs are expected to turn to veteran left-hander Drew Pomeranz, who sports a 2-2 record and a stingy 2.17 ERA. Pomeranz’s experience in high-leverage situations could prove invaluable for a Chicago side looking to complete a remarkable comeback on enemy turf. The Cubs, however, will be without several key players due to injury, including Miguel Amaya (ankle), Ryan Brasier (groin), Cade Horton (ribs), Justin Steele (elbow), and Owen Caissie (concussion), which means depth will be tested in this high-pressure environment.
The Brewers, meanwhile, have their own share of injury woes. Starters Brandon Woodruff (lat), Garrett Mitchell (oblique), Logan Henderson, Shelby Miller, Connor Thomas, and Jordan Montgomery (all elbow) are sidelined, with breakout rookie Jackson Chourio listed as day-to-day with a hamstring issue. Chourio, though, has been a revelation this postseason, notching a hit in every game and entering Game 5 with a 7-for-15 line, one home run, and six RBIs. If he’s able to suit up, his bat could be a difference-maker for Milwaukee.
Manager Craig Counsell will hand the ball to Trevor Megill, who’s put together an impressive campaign with a 6-3 record and a 2.49 ERA. Megill’s ability to control the strike zone and keep hitters off balance has been a bright spot for the Brewers’ pitching staff, and he’ll need to be at his best against a Cubs lineup that’s found its groove at just the right time.
Of course, the Brewers’ offense is more than just Chourio. Christian Yelich remains the heartbeat of Milwaukee’s lineup, entering the game with 29 home runs, 103 RBIs (ranking 11th in MLB), and 16 stolen bases. Yelich’s .264 batting average and .343 on-base percentage are a testament to his all-around game, while his 25.9% strikeout rate and 9.9% walk rate show he’s both aggressive and selective at the plate. Brice Turang has also contributed in a big way, hitting .288 with 18 home runs, 24 steals, and 97 runs scored. His 22.8% strikeout rate and 10% walk rate reflect his patient, disciplined approach, and his .794 OPS underscores his value as an everyday player.
Looking at the series as a whole, it’s been a tale of two ballparks. Milwaukee dominated at home in the early going, but the Cubs’ resilience at Wrigley has turned the tide. The fact that each home team has won so far only adds to the intrigue—will the trend hold, or will Chicago break through in hostile territory?
Betting odds favor the Brewers slightly, with Milwaukee listed at -140 to -150 on the moneyline and the Cubs at +120 to +125. The over/under for the game sits at 7.5 runs, reflecting the strong performances from both pitching staffs in recent games. The spread gives the Brewers a -1.5 edge, but with the way this series has unfolded, anything can happen.
Fans looking to catch the action have a host of options, from traditional television broadcasts on TBS and truTV to streaming platforms like Sling, DIRECTV, and HBO Max. For those fortunate enough to be in Milwaukee, tickets are still available through outlets like StubHub, and American Family Field is sure to be rocking with anticipation as the Brewers try to ride their home crowd to victory.
Recent matchups between these two teams have been fiercely competitive, with the Cubs winning four of the last six meetings heading into Game 5. The postseason stakes, however, add another layer of intensity, and both teams have shown they’re capable of rising to the occasion.
“This is what October baseball is all about,” said one analyst on TBS. “You’ve got two division rivals, a packed house, and everything on the line. You just can’t ask for more.”
With the series tied at 2-2, every pitch, every at-bat, and every defensive play will be magnified. Will Hoerner and Busch continue their torrid postseason pace? Can Chourio and Yelich spark the Brewers’ offense one more time? And which starting pitcher will seize the moment and etch their name into playoff lore?
One thing’s for sure: as the Cubs and Brewers square off in this winner-take-all Game 5, baseball fans everywhere are in for a treat. The action is set to unfold under the bright lights of American Family Field, and by the end of the night, one team will be moving on—while the other’s season comes to a heartbreaking close. For now, all eyes are on Milwaukee as October drama reaches its fever pitch.
