Oct 11, 2025, 10:45 PM ET

There’s nothing like a Game 5 — particularly not one between division rivals.

After several slugfests in the earlier games of this series, the rubber match between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs was a battle of relievers, with four solo home runs the only offense.

The Brewers’ three were enough, and give them a chance to win the first National League Championship Series in their history. (They won the AL pennant in 1982.) Milwaukee, with the best record in the NL and MLB, will host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS at 8:08 p.m. ET Monday.

We’ve got you covered with the top moments from today’s game, as well as takeaways after the final out.

Takeaways

Milwaukee wins series 3-2

The Brewers came up big on the mound to close out the Cubs, who could only muster a Seiya Suzuki solo home run in Game 5. It came in the first at-bat against Jacob Misiorowski, who entered to start the second inning — but it did not foreshadow what was to come. In a key stretch in the game, the young rookie settled in nicely: He pitched four solid innings, giving up just that one run without walking a batter. In fact, manager Pat Murphy almost left himself open to second-guessing when he pulled Misiorowski in favor of lefty Aaron Ashby. Ashby gave up a hit and then hit a batter to start the sixth, but then Kyle Tucker struck out, Suzuki flew out and Ian Happ took strike three to end the threat. In the end, solo home runs by William Contreras, Andrew Vaughn and Brice Turang held up for Milwaukee to earn an NLCS berth. The Brewers advance after a hard-fought series where the home team in each game held serve. — Jesse Rogers

The Brewers were the best team in the National League in the regular season, and with their season on the line, they came through with their usual cast of unsung heroes. In one way, it was the quintessential Brewers game: Pat Murphy deployed five different pitchers, including an opener in Trevor Megill (who had been the team’s closer until getting hurt in August); rookie flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski, who delivered four innings of one-run ball; former top prospect Aaron Ashby, who got a big strikeout of Kyle Tucker with two runners on; another rookie starter in Chad Patrick, acquired from the A’s in 2023; and then Abner Uribe, who pitched the final two innings.

On the offensive side, the Brewers don’t always rely on the home run, but like every other team, they win a lot more games when they do hit home runs. The three they hit in this game came from William Contreras, Andrew Vaughn and Brice Turang — two trade acquisitions (Vaughn coming over earlier this season after the White Sox essentially gave up on him) and a Gold Glove second baseman who added power to his game this year. The Brewers can beat you in different ways and the bullpen depth and pitching versatility will make them a threat against the Dodgers. If the power shows up, they’ll have a chance to reach their first World Series since 1982. — David Schoenfield

Top moments from Milwaukee

The Brew Crew is moving on

Brice Turang pads Brewers’ lead in the seventh

Three K’s and five outs for Chad Patrick

Sweet defensive play for Nico Hoerner

Andrew Vaughn does it again!

Cubs answer with Suzuki’s solo blast

Contreras gets Brewers on the board first