The ultimate high-stakes showdown looms tonight in the 2025 MLB playoffs—will the Chicago Cubs clinch a thrilling comeback, or will the Milwaukee Brewers reclaim their dominance and advance? It's win or go home in this must-see National League Division Series finale!
Hey there, baseball fans! With the American League Division Series wrapped up in an unforgettable way earlier today, all eyes are now on the National League's epic clash between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers. This series has been a rollercoaster, and tonight's Game 5 at American Family Field is the decider. The Brewers, as the top seed in the NL, started strong with a 2-0 lead, but the Cubs, their fierce rivals from the NL Central, fought back hard at Wrigley Field to tie things up. Whoever wins heads to the NL Championship Series to take on the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers.
But here's where it gets controversial—some fans argue that the Brewers' early lead was a sign of their superiority, while others say the Cubs' resilience proves they're the underdog team to watch. Is it fair that seeding gives such an advantage, or does playoff grit trump all? We'll dive into the lineups, game starters, and expert insights to break it all down. Stick around, because this analysis might just change how you view the strategy behind the game.
First off, let's check out the projected lineups for this nail-biter:
Chicago Cubs
- Michael Busch (Left-handed) - First Base
- Nico Hoerner (Right-handed) - Second Base
- Kyle Tucker (Left-handed) - Designated Hitter
- Seiya Suzuki (Right-handed) - Right Field
- Ian Happ (Switch-hitter) - Left Field
- Carson Kelly (Right-handed) - Catcher
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (Left-handed) - Center Field
- Dansby Swanson (Right-handed) - Shortstop
- Matt Shaw (Right-handed) - Third Base
Milwaukee Brewers
- Jackson Chourio (Right-handed) - Left Field
- Brice Turang (Left-handed) - Second Base
- William Contreras (Right-handed) - Catcher
- Christian Yelich (Left-handed) - Designated Hitter
- Andrew Vaughn (Right-handed) - First Base
- Sal Frelick (Left-handed) - Right Field
- Caleb Durbin (Right-handed) - Third Base
- Blake Perkins (Switch-hitter) - Center Field
- Joey Ortiz (Right-handed) - Shortstop
And this is the part most people miss—the pitching matchups and managerial decisions could swing everything. For the Cubs, starting pitchers Drew Pomeranz and Trevor Megill are set to duel it out on the mound at 8:08 p.m. ET, airing on TBS. The series stands at a gripping 2-2 tie.
Now, onto the keys to victory, as analyzed by our expert David Schoenfield. For the Cubs to pull off the upset and win Game 5, they'll need solid pitching depth. That means getting extended innings from one of their relievers—think at least three full frames of shutout baseball. Cubs manager Craig Counsell might turn to Johnny Wholestaff, but options like Shota Imanaga (who had a rough Game 2 and a tough end to the regular season), Colin Rea (who delivered 3.1 scoreless innings in that same game), Jameson Taillon (fresh off a 75-pitch start in Game 3), or Aaron Civale (who tossed 4.1 scoreless innings late in Game 1) could be game-changers. To put it simply for newcomers, relief pitching is like having a fresh set of arms ready to bridge the gap, preventing the other team from scoring runs when the starter tires out.
This setup promises an intriguing tactical duel between managers Counsell and Pat Murphy. Murphy might lean on his left-handed pitchers to challenge lefty hitter Michael Busch, forcing Counsell to make a pinch-hitting move (swapping in a better-matched player mid-game). Meanwhile, Counsell could counter by using his right-handed hurlers against Jackson Chourio, who's been on fire, going 7-for-15 in the series so far. It's like a chess match on the field—each decision could tip the scales. And here's where opinions diverge: Is it smarter to exploit platoon advantages (matching hitters and pitchers based on handedness), or does raw talent always win out? Many argue platooning is outdated in today's game, but it often decides close playoff games.
For the Brewers, the path to triumph lies in their unique ability to rack up runs without heavy reliance on home runs—a style that's earned them praise this season. They've gone 70-36 when hitting at least one homer, including splitting the series so far at 1-1. Sure, they plated nine runs in Game 1 without one, but when no homers fly, their record dips to 29-31. To illustrate for beginners, think of it as building a steady score through singles, doubles, and walks, rather than swinging for the fences every time. They'll want to amp up that power tonight. If Shota Imanaga takes the mound for the Cubs, that's a green light for the Brewers—they've already homered twice off him in Game 2, and he's surrendered at least one dinger in 10 straight outings, with two or more in eight of his last 14. It's a trend that could predict fireworks.
There you have it—everything you need to know heading into Game 5. Which side are you rooting for, and do you agree that home runs might be the Brewers' secret weapon? Or is the Cubs' bullpen strategy the real X-factor? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you think platooning is overrated, or could it save the day? Let's discuss!
