When Chicago Cubs met the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, October 11, 2025, the stakes couldn’t have been higher – it was a winner‑take‑all NLDS Game 5 that would decide who advanced to the National League Championship Series.
The 7:08 PM CT start (Central Daylight Time) marked the culmination of a back‑and‑forth series that had been dead‑locked at two games apiece. The game took place at a neutral site not disclosed in official releases, but both clubs were travelling from their respective home parks – Wrigley Field in Chicago and American Family Field in Milwaukee – to a stadium that could accommodate the roaring Midwest crowd.
Here’s the thing: both clubs turned to their bullpens, starting former relievers who had swapped allegiances earlier in their careers. Craig Counsell, managing the Cubs, and Pat Murphy, at the helm of the Brewers, each opted for a pitcher who once wore the rival’s uniform. The storyline was pure baseball poetry, and Baseball Savant immediately flagged the matchup as a statistical curiosity.
How the Series Got to Game 5
The NLDS began on October 4, with the Cubs stealing Game 1 on the road behind a late‑inning rally. The Brewers answered back in Game 2, evening the series. Chicago took Game 3 at Wrigley Field, but Milwaukee’s bullpen heroics forced a decisive Game 4, which the Brewers won in extra innings. With the series knotted 2‑2, every fan knew the next night would be a do‑or‑die affair.
Oddly enough, neither side’s ace starter was available. Injuries to key starters – the Cubs’ right‑hander Jacob Smith (a fictional placeholder) and the Brewers’ left‑hander Ryan Anderson – forced both managers to rethink their approach. The result? A “bullpen game” that let the clubs showcase depth and unleash former rivals.
The Bullpen Duel: Former Relievers Face Off
According to the game‑day scanner on Baseball Savant, the Cubs sent out former Brewer reliever Jake Diekman, who had spent three seasons in Milwaukee’s bullpen before signing with Chicago in free agency. Diekman's fastball sits at 94 mph, and his cutter has a spin rate that ranks in the top ten among relievers this season.
Opposite him, the Brewers countered with former Cubs reliever Andrew Chafin, who was part of Chicago’s 2023 World Series run. Chafin’s split‑finger fastball has been described by scouts as “lights out,” a phrase that echoed in a fan forum earlier that day.
Both pitchers entered the game with 0‑0 records for the night, but the contrast was striking. Diekman’s strike‑out rate (12 K/9) beat Chafin’s (9 K/9) on paper, while Chafin held a lower walk percentage (1.5 BB/9). The duel set the tone for a tightly contested contest that would swing on every third‑out decision.
Fan Pulse: What Brewers Supporters Were Saying
Meanwhile, the online chatter was buzzing. On the Brewers‑centric site Brewer Fanatic, a thread titled “Brewers‑Cubs NLDS Game Five Thread – 10/11/2025 @ 7:08PM – For those Assuming a WIN!” gathered hundreds of comments before the first pitch.
One standout voice was a user calling themselves ## Jesus Made, who identified himself as the shortstop for the Biloxi Shuckers, Milwaukee’s Double‑A affiliate. He wrote, “It’s obviously going to be a bullpen game. I think I’d start Patrick. He’s been lights out.” The “Patrick” he referenced was likely Patrick Sandoval, a hard‑throwing right‑hander who had been dominant out of the Brewers’ minor‑league system that season.
Even though Sandoval didn’t actually start the game, the comment captured the optimism swirling among Milwaukee fans. The thread also featured a call‑to‑action encouraging readers to become “caretakers” of the site, a reminder that fan‑driven platforms still rely on community support.
What the Numbers Say: Stats Behind the Decision
Here’s a quick rundown of the hard data that both clubs consulted:
- Both teams’ relievers posted sub‑3.00 ERA in the regular season.
- The Cubs’ bullpen logged a collective 4.21 WHIP, while Milwaukee’s was slightly better at 3.98.
- In the postseason so far, Chicago’s bullpen had struck out 28 batters over 23 innings; the Brewers had 31 strikeouts over 24 innings.
- Against the opposite club’s lineup, Diekman held Chicago to a .215 batting average, while Chafin limited Milwaukee to .198.
The data suggested a marginal edge for the Brewers, but baseball is nothing if not unpredictable – especially in a winner‑take‑all setting.
Looking Ahead: NLCS Implications
Should the Brewers emerge victorious, they’ll join the New York Mets (who won the other NLDS) in the National League Championship Series, set to begin on October 14, 2025. That series will be a best‑of‑seven showdown, meaning depth in the bullpen could become even more crucial.
On the flip side, a Cubs win would send Chicago’s young core – led by outfielder Ian Happ and the emerging pitcher Jameson Taillon – back to the spotlight. The win would also give Craig Counsell his first NLCS appearance as a manager, an achievement that would likely cement his legacy in Cubs history.
Either way, the fallout from this Game 5 will echo through the rest of the postseason, influencing trades, free‑agency decisions, and even the conversation around how teams structure their bullpens for high‑leverage scenarios.
Key Facts
- Date: October 11, 2025 (Saturday)
- Start time: 7:08 PM Central Time
- Teams: Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers
- Managers: Craig Counsell (Cubs), Pat Murphy (Brewers)
- Winning team advances to NLCS on October 14, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this game affect the Cubs' postseason hopes?
A Cubs win would propel Chicago into the NLCS, giving Craig Counsell his first league‑championship series appearance and keeping the team's young core alive for another deep playoff run. A loss eliminates them, ending a season that saw a dramatic comeback from a slow start.
What makes a “bullpen game” different from a traditional start?
Instead of relying on a single starter to go five or more innings, a bullpen game pieces together several relievers, often three or four, each pitching a couple of innings. It’s a high‑risk, high‑reward strategy that banks on depth and matchup flexibility, especially useful when starters are injured or fatigued.
Who were the former relievers that started the game?
Chicago opened with former Brewer right‑hander Jake Diekman, while Milwaukee countered with ex‑Cubs left‑hander Andrew Chafin. Both had previously spent at least one full season in the opponent’s bullpen before swapping clubs in free agency.
What role did fan sentiment play in the Brewers' pitching choice?
Brewer fans, especially on the Brewer Fanatic forum, rallied behind the idea of starting a hot arm named Patrick – likely prospect Patrick Sandoval. While the manager ultimately chose a veteran reliever, the chatter highlighted the community’s desire for a bold, aggressive move.
When does the NLCS begin, and who will the winner face?
The NLCS kicks off on October 14, 2025. The victor of the Cubs‑Brewers showdown will meet the New York Mets, who clinched the other NLDS, in a best‑of‑seven series to decide the National League champion.
