The Chicago Cubs visit the Milwaukee Brewers this afternoon in Game 1 of the 205 NLDS in the first-ever postseason meeting between the NL Central rivals.
Milwaukee enters this series well-rested after a first-round bye, having won the division and claimed the best record in the majors in 2025.
Chicago arrives after a nail-biter Wild Card Series win over the San Diego Padres, with each game decided by three runs or less. Pitching was the story of that series — along with timely late-game swings.
The Cubs’ bullpen outdueled that of the league-leading Padres, and their superior power output proved decisive. They limited San Diego’s contact-heavy lineup to a .189 batting average and just five total runs. Chicago’s own offense produced only six runs, but Cubs pitchers combined for an outstanding 1.67 ERA.
The Cubs narrowly won the season series with the Brewers, 7–6, suggesting this best-of-five series could easily go the distance. Importantly, Chicago took three of the last four games in that regular season matchup — indicating momentum may be on their side.
But Milwaukee’s ace Freddy Peralta gets the start today and could stop Chicago’s momentum. He wrapped up a stellar year, going 17–6 with a 2.70 ERA and over 200 strikeouts. He faced the Cubs four times during the regular season, with mixed results — two dominant outings of six scoreless innings each, and two rough ones where he allowed a combined eight runs over nine innings.
Today is his seventh career postseason appearance. He enters with an 0–1 record and a 4.00 ERA.
The Cubs hand the ball to Matthew Boyd, who had a strong season overall, finishing 14–8 with a 3.21 ERA. But he struggled down the stretch, going 3–2 with a 6.08 ERA over his final seven regular-season starts.
In the postseason, however, he rebounded with a solid start against the Padres, allowing just one run in 4.1 innings and backed by a stellar bullpen. But Boyd struggled against the Brewers this year, giving up nine runs in 10.1 innings of work. So the Chicago bullpen could see early action today.
Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong both come in with career .455 batting averages against Peralta, but most of the lineup has struggled. Seiya Suzuki is hitting .130 with 12 strikeouts in 23 at-bats, and Ian Happ is just .063 with 14 strikeouts in 32 at-bats.
By comparison, the Brewers lineup has had greater success against Boyd, though with fewer home runs and strikeouts, suggesting plenty of contact today. Christian Yelich is hitting .273 with one home run in 11 at-bats, and William Contreras is hitting .444 with one home run in nine at-bats.
Predictions
Milwaukee’s rest and home-field edge should prove decisive in a tight opener. Peralta’s strikeout ability gives the Brewers the upper hand, while Boyd’s struggles against Milwaukee could force an early bullpen call. Expect a close game decided by late situational hitting.
Prediction: Brewers 4, Cubs 3
Starting Lineups
Chicago Cubs
1. Michael Busch – 1B
2. Nico Hoerner – 2B
3. Kyle Tucker – DH
4. Seiya Suzuki – RF
5. Ian Happ – LF
6. Carson Kelly – C
7. Pete Crow-Armstrong – CF
8. Dansby Swanson – SS
9. Matt Shaw – 3B
Starting Pitcher: Matthew Boyd (LHP) – 14–8, 3.21 ERA, 154 K
Milwaukee Brewers
1. Jackson Chourio – LF
2. Brice Turang – 2B
3. William Contreras – C
4. Christian Yelich – DH
5. Andrew Vaughn – 1B
6. Sal Frelick – RF
7. Caleb Durbin – 3B
8. Blake Perkins – CF
9. Joey Ortiz – SS
Starting Pitcher: Freddy Peralta (RH) – 17–6, 2.70 ERA, 204 K
How to Watch Cubs vs. Brewers
First pitch for this afternoon’s game between the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers is scheduled for 2:08 PM Eastern / 1:08 PM Central at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
The game airs live nationally on TBS, and streams on the TBS app and website, as well as HBO Max.
Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 2:08 PM Eastern / 1:08 PM Central
Venue: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
TV: TBS
Streaming: TBS app and website, HBO Max
Disclaimer: This news has been automatically collected from the source link above. Our website does not create, edit, or publish the content. All information, statements, and opinions expressed belong solely to the original publisher. We are not responsible or liable for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any news, nor for any statements, views, or claims made in the content. All rights remain with the respective source.