The Chicago Cubs, once staring down a 0-2 deficit, completed a remarkable turnaround at Wrigley Field, shutting out the Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 in Game 4 of the NLDS, largely thanks to an electrifying home crowd and explosive first-inning offense, forcing a decisive Game 5.
Just a few days ago, the Chicago Cubs looked destined for an early exit from the 2025 MLB Playoffs. After dropping the first two games of the NLDS to the Milwaukee Brewers in crushing fashion, optimism was scarce in the Windy City. Facing the daunting task of winning three straight games with their backs against the wall, the Cubs maintained a quiet confidence, believing in the power of their home park, Wrigley Field, to shift their fortunes. That belief has now manifested into a dramatic series tie, with a winner-take-all Game 5 on the horizon.
The Comeback Begins: Protecting Home Turf
To have any chance of flipping the series, the Cubs knew they needed to defend their home turf. They did just that in Game 3, securing a crucial 4-3 victory that not only halted the Brewers’ momentum but ignited a spark in Chicago. This win, detailed by Yahoo Sports, proved they could contend. The question leading into Game 4 was whether they could sustain that energy and put the pressure squarely back on Milwaukee. The answer, as Cubs manager Craig Counsell noted, was a resounding “yes.”
“We had to fight our way to get into [Game 5], and I think the guys are fired up to pack their bags,” Counsell said, “No doubt about it.”
Game 4 Dominance: Offense and the ’10th Player’
The Cubs made a definitive statement in Game 4 with a dominant 6-0 shutout victory, evening the NLDS 2-2. A consistent theme for Chicago throughout the series, even in their losses, has been setting the tone in the first inning. This trend continued on Thursday. The Brewers, hoping to clinch, turned to their ace, Freddy Peralta, on short rest after his strong performance in Game 1. However, Peralta looked different in Game 4, a fact the Cubs quickly exploited.
With two men on base in the first inning, Ian Happ, the Cubs’ longest-tenured player, stepped to the plate. Despite a historical 2-for-38 record against Peralta in the regular season, things were different this time. As the Wrigley Field crowd, already electric, began chanting “Freddy… Freddy… Freddy…”, Happ connected with a 1-1 fastball, sending it deep for a three-run home run. This marked the fourth straight game the Cubs homered in the first inning, a remarkable display of early offense.
“I’ve had a ton of at-bats against him. He’s had my number quite a bit,” Happ reflected postgame. “But I got him in Milwaukee on a fastball, so I knew he was going to go changeup, changeup to start the at-bat, and it was probably going to be a lot more soft stuff. I was able to get a fastball in that at-bat to hit.”
Sustained Pressure and Pitching Gems
Unlike previous games where their early lead dwindled, the Cubs maintained offensive pressure throughout Game 4. They forced Peralta to throw 84 pitches in just four innings and had runners on base in six of their eight offensive frames, scoring in four. This relentless approach, combined with stellar pitching, kept Milwaukee on its heels.
Starter Matthew Boyd delivered a crucial 4 2/3 innings of shutout ball, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. His relievers, including Daniel Palencia who redeemed himself after a tough Game 2 outing against Jackson Chourio, completed the shutout. The Cubs further extended their lead with an RBI single from Matt Shaw in the sixth, followed by solo home runs from Kyle Tucker in the seventh and Michael Busch in the eighth, sealing the 6-0 victory.
“Momentum in baseball happens based on what’s on the field, know what I mean?” Brewers manager Pat Murphy conceded. “The Cubs earned it. They had their backs against the wall, and they played great these last two games. They pitched great. They played great. They played great defense. They hit in the clutch. They hit homers.”
The Wrigley Effect: A ’10th Player’ on the Field
While the Cubs’ performance was stellar, the undeniable impact of the Wrigley Field crowd cannot be overstated. Described as “another level” by Matthew Boyd and “incredible” by Craig Counsell, the home crowd was more than just spectators—it was a tangible force. Whether it was the taunting chants directed at Freddy Peralta or the sheer volume that accompanied every Cubs offensive play, the crowd acted as a “10th player” for Chicago, influencing the game far beyond the field. AOL Sports highlighted this palpable atmosphere.
“I mean, it affected the game. This crowd affected the game the last two games,” Murphy acknowledged. “It affected the way we played, for sure… That kind of stuff emotionally can affect guys. They can start to play a little too hard. This game is a game of precision, and the Cubs’ experience and what they’ve been through, they were better in this environment, for sure.”
For the Brewers, this marks a concerning trend, as they have now lost five straight potential clinching games, a pattern dating back to Game 7 of the 2018 NLCS.
What’s Next: A Winner-Take-All Game 5
With the series now tied, the pressure has dramatically shifted to the Milwaukee Brewers as both teams head back to American Family Field for Game 5 on Saturday. Historically, teams that force a Game 5 after being down 0-2 have a competitive chance, with statistics showing approximately 60% of such clubs going on to win the series. The Cubs, having withstood two early haymakers from Milwaukee, have now delivered two powerful swings of their own.
The Pitching Puzzle
One of the biggest questions looming over Game 5 is the starting pitching matchup. Both teams have kept their cards close to their chest throughout the series, often waiting until the morning of the game to announce their starter. It’s plausible both could opt for a bullpen game, with a quick trigger for their initial pitcher.
- For the Brewers, the decision might be tougher. Having started Peralta on Thursday, he will not be available. They will need to delve deeper into their pitching staff for this must-win contest.
- The Cubs face their own choice. While Shota Imanaga is a potential option, his postseason performance has been inconsistent, and he struggled badly in Game 2 in Milwaukee. The Cubs will weigh their chances with Imanaga against a potential bullpen approach, hoping to leverage their recent momentum.
Regardless of who takes the mound, the Cubs have given themselves a legitimate shot at completing an improbable comeback, transforming a bleak outlook into a thrilling winner-take-all scenario. As Counsell aptly put it, “We get to pack our bags, man. That’s all we wanted to do today is pack our bags.”
