The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers were set for a midweek showdown at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, but Mother Nature had other plans. Persistent rain showers led to the postponement of the game, announced more than two hours before the scheduled 7:05 p.m. CT first pitch. This delay has reshaped the schedule for both teams, turning what was initially a four-game series into a grueling five-game set when the Brewers return to Chicago in August.
The makeup game is slated for August 18 as part of a split doubleheader, with the first game beginning at 1:20 p.m. and the regularly scheduled contest following at 7:05 p.m. This rescheduling adds a demanding stretch for Milwaukee, who will face 18 games in 17 days during that period, while the Cubs will have 14 games in a 13-day span, intensifying the battle for the National League Central crown.
Before the rain intervened, the Cubs had just secured a 5-3 victory over the Brewers on Tuesday, June 17, boosting their season series record to 3-1 against their division rivals. Chicago now holds a commanding 6½-game lead atop the NL Central with a 45-28 record. Meanwhile, the fight for second place remains razor-thin, with the Brewers, Reds, and Cardinals all within half a game of each other.
Wednesday’s postponed game was highly anticipated for its pitching matchup. Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon, who has been dominant lately, was scheduled to take the mound against Milwaukee’s rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski. Taillon, in the third year of his four-year, $68 million contract signed in December 2022, boasts a 3.48 ERA over 14 starts this season. His recent form has been particularly impressive, going 5-0 with a 1.91 ERA in his last five outings, allowing only seven earned runs over 33 innings. Taillon’s balanced repertoire and new kick-change delivery have made him a formidable opponent, especially as he adapts his approach through the lineup.
Jacob Misiorowski, the Brewers’ towering 6-foot-7 righty, was set to make just his second MLB start. The 23-year-old prospect made a splash in his debut on June 12 against the St. Louis Cardinals, delivering five no-hit innings with five strikeouts, despite walking four batters. Misiorowski’s arsenal includes a blazing 99 mph fastball, a sharp 94 mph slider, an 88 mph curveball, and a 92 mph changeup. Despite some control issues, his overpowering stuff has made him a rising star and a key figure in Milwaukee’s pitching future. Misiorowski was the Brewers’ No. 4 prospect before his promotion and has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s best young arms.
Following the rainout, Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed that Taillon will now pitch in the series finale on Thursday, June 20, 2025. The Brewers have yet to announce their starter for that day, but options include Misiorowski and veteran Freddy Peralta. Peralta, who was initially slated to face the Cubs on June 19, has a strong career record against Chicago, going 7-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 19 games. This season, Peralta has been effective with a 2.60 ERA and 84 strikeouts over 83 innings.
Milwaukee’s pitching rotation will face a tough schedule ahead. If starters remain on their current timelines, Misiorowski could be bumped to start on June 24 at American Family Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he would face fellow top prospect Paul Skenes. Skenes, along with Misiorowski and Cade Horton, represents a promising core of young arms in the NL Central, signaling a bright future for the division’s pitching talent.
The postponement also impacts the Cubs’ pitching plans. Right-hander Eli Morgan, who has been sidelined with an inflamed ulnar nerve since mid-April, suffered a setback during a rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on June 17. Morgan allowed four runs in two-thirds of an inning, prompting further medical evaluation. Meanwhile, reliever Porter Hodge is progressing well, throwing a hitless inning in his second rehab outing and expected to make at least one more before returning. Left-hander Shota Imanaga is also on track to start a rehab assignment on June 21, continuing his recovery from a strained left hamstring.
Offensively, the Cubs have shown signs of life after a quiet stretch. Tuesday’s win featured a three-run homer from Seiya Suzuki and a solo shot by Pete-Crow Armstrong in the eighth inning, overcoming an early Brewers lead fueled by Isaac Collins, who homered and doubled in the game. The Cubs will look to build on this momentum when the series resumes.
Beyond the on-field action, the Chicago City Council has passed a plan to enhance security measures around Wrigley Field. This move addresses a significant obstacle that had prevented the Cubs from hosting an All-Star Game in recent years. Commissioner Rob Manfred has identified Chicago as a candidate to host the event as soon as 2027. The Cubs organization expressed gratitude, stating, "The Chicago Cubs thank Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration, Ald. Bennett Lawson and the Chicago City Council, as well as Gov. JB Pritzker for partnering to enhance the safety of the entire neighborhood and the 3 million fans who visit Wrigley Field each year. From day one, the Ricketts family has committed to being good neighbors to the city and our neighborhood, and this security investment is the latest example of that pledge."
Looking ahead to August, the split doubleheader on the 18th will require separate tickets for each game, with fans needing to exit the ballpark after the first contest. Mobile tickets will automatically update with the makeup game information, and special-ticket offers, such as the Hello Kitty promotion, will remain valid on the new date.
As the Cubs and Brewers prepare for this stretched-out rivalry battle, the stakes remain high. Both teams are jockeying for position in a tightly contested division and wild card race. The rainout has only added fuel to the fire, setting up a critical five-game series in August that could have far-reaching implications for the postseason.
For now, baseball fans will have to wait a little longer to see the next chapter unfold between these National League Central foes. But with pitchers like Taillon and Misiorowski poised to take the mound soon, and the Cubs holding a strong division lead, the drama is far from over at Wrigley Field.
