The air is crackling with anticipation at Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers prepare to square off in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. As the sun dips behind the ivy-laden walls and fans pour into the stands, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With the Brewers holding a commanding lead in the series after dominating Games 1 and 2 at home, the Cubs are desperate to turn the tide on their own turf this Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
It’s not just another postseason game for the Cubs—it’s a chance to erase some unwelcome history. The team enters tonight’s contest saddled with not one, but two Major League Baseball records that no club wants to own. First, they’ve scored three or fewer runs in 13 straight postseason games, eclipsing a mark that had stood since the Dodgers’ run from 1916 to 1941. In those 13 games, the Cubs have been outscored by a staggering 58-22 margin. Second, the Cubs have also failed to muster more than three runs in 14 consecutive postseason home games, breaking a record previously shared by the Mariners and Twins. During this stretch at Wrigley, their opponents have outpaced them 50-20. Ouch.
“Let’s end this streak, please,” is the refrain echoing through the North Side, as fans hope the bats finally come alive. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the Cubs have been strong in their first home games after road trips during the 2025 regular season, posting an impressive 11-2 record. That kind of homecoming magic is precisely what they’ll need to keep their postseason dreams alive tonight.
The pitching matchup brings its own intrigue. The Cubs turn to right-hander Jameson Taillon, who has quietly become the team’s steadiest starter not named Cade Horton since late August. Taillon’s recent numbers are eye-popping: a 1.41 ERA and a 0.861 WHIP over his last seven starts, spanning 38.1 innings, with only two home runs allowed. He’s coming off four shutout innings in the Wild Card Series against the Padres, and Cubs fans are hoping he can replicate that dominance against the Brewers.
Taillon’s history against Milwaukee this season is a mixed bag. On May 3 in Milwaukee, he delivered a solid outing, surrendering just two runs over six innings. But his June 19 start at Wrigley was a different story, as he was tagged for eight hits and five runs in just four innings. Still, Taillon has performed better at home overall, boasting a 2.86 ERA in 11 starts (including the Wild Card Series) compared to a 4.20 ERA in 13 road starts. The Cubs are banking on their righty being on his game when it matters most.
On the other side, the Brewers send Quinn Priester to the mound for his first-ever postseason start. It’s a full-circle moment for Priester, who grew up a Cubs fan in the northwest suburbs and attended Cary-Grove High School. Now, as a Brewer, he faces the daunting task of quieting his childhood team’s home crowd in October. Priester’s numbers against the Cubs this year aren’t exactly sparkling: a 6.28 ERA and a 1.953 WHIP over 14.1 innings, with home runs surrendered to Michael Busch, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Nico Hoerner. He last pitched on September 26, so he’s had 11 days to rest—and perhaps stew over those less-than-stellar outings. Will the extra rest help him find his groove, or will rust prove costly?
Credit must go to the Brewers’ coaching staff for turning Priester into a more reliable arm since his rocky days with the Pirates, where he posted a 6.46 ERA in 20 games (14 starts). Milwaukee’s gamble on him is paying off at the right time, but the Cubs’ lineup, which has found some success against him in the regular season, will look to pounce early and often.
Tonight’s game isn’t just about the action on the diamond—it’s also a prime opportunity for fans to get in on the postseason excitement through sports betting. BetMGM is offering new users in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia a special bonus code (CUSE150) that turns a $10 winning wager into $150 in bonus bets, plus up to $2,500 in casino rewards depending on the state. The Cubs vs. Brewers matchup, with the Cubs favored at -1.5 on the spread and a total over/under of 7, is drawing plenty of attention from bettors. The moneyline currently lists the Brewers at +104 and the Cubs at -120, though odds are always subject to change as game time approaches.
Fans can also catch the action live on TBS, truTV, and streaming on HBO Max, with Alex Faust and Ron Darling on the call and Lauren Jbara reporting from the field. For those following online, the SB Nation Brewers site Brew Crew Ball offers a space for respectful interaction between rival fans, and the Cubs’ own game thread and StoryStream keep the conversation going pitch by pitch.
As Cubs faithful look to shake off the ghosts of postseason struggles, there’s a sense of déjà vu in the air. Nine years ago to the day, on October 8, 2016, Travis Wood homered and the Cubs defeated the Giants 5-2 to take a 2-0 lead in their NL Division Series. That memory serves as both inspiration and a reminder of what’s possible when everything clicks at Wrigley in October.
Across the country, the other NLDS Game 3 features the Dodgers hosting the Phillies at Dodger Stadium, with Los Angeles favored to complete a sweep. Both the Brewers and Dodgers have the chance to punch their tickets to the NLCS with wins tonight, raising the stakes for every pitch, every at-bat, and every managerial decision.
For the Cubs, the path forward is clear—end the scoring drought, protect home field, and extend the series. The Brewers, meanwhile, are eyeing a sweep and a trip to the NLCS, relying on their rejuvenated pitching and timely hitting to get the job done. With so much on the line, fans can expect a tense, electric atmosphere at Wrigley Field as these division rivals battle for postseason survival.
As first pitch approaches, all eyes are on the North Side. Will the Cubs finally break their postseason scoring curse and keep their hopes alive, or will the Brewers continue their march toward the NLCS? One thing’s for sure: October baseball at Wrigley never disappoints. The drama is just beginning, and tonight’s game promises to add another unforgettable chapter to the storied rivalry between Chicago and Milwaukee.
