Cubs vs Brewers: Live Updates, Pitching Duel & Playoff Stakes

The National League Division Series reaches its boiling point tonight as the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers square off in a decisive Game 5 at American Family Field in Milwaukee. First pitch is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. CT, and the winner advances to the NLCS while the loser heads home for the winter. WHEN & WHERE • Date: Saturday, Oct. 11 2025 • Venue: American Family Field, Milwaukee • First pitch: 5:08 p.m. CT • Weather: Roof expected closed; temperatures in the low 50s PITCHING MATCHUP Chicago will use veteran left-hander Drew Pomeranz as an opener, hoping for two clean innings before turning the ball over to a rested bullpen. Milwaukee counters with right-hander Freddy Peralta, whose high-octane fastball produced 11 strikeouts in Game 1. Both clubs plan to have all hands on deck, including potential long-man appearances from Jameson Taillon (Cubs) and Wade Miley (Brewers). SERIES RECAP • Game 1: Brewers 4, Cubs 2 • Game 2: Cubs 5, Brewers 4 (10 innings) • Game 3: Brewers 6, Cubs 3 • Game 4: Cubs 6, Brewers 0 — Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each homered to force tonight’s winner-take-all showdown. KEYS TO VICTORY Chicago Cubs 1. Jump on Peralta early; the righty’s ERA rises from 2.10 to 4.85 after 40 pitches. 2. Keep Christian Yelich in the yard; he owns a 1.178 OPS in the series. 3. Leverage the bullpen trio of Adbert Alzolay, Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter Jr. for the final nine outs. Milwaukee Brewers 1. Capitalize on the home crowd; Brewers posted MLB-best 54-27 home record. 2. Turn the lineup over to give rookie phenom Jackson Chourio extra plate appearances. 3. Use Devin Williams and Joel Payamps aggressively; both are available for multiple innings. HOW TO WATCH & STREAM • TV: Fox Sports 1 (FS1) • Streaming: Fox Sports app, FuboTV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream (free trials available) BETTING ODDS (courtesy of FOX Bet, 10 a.m. CT) • Moneyline: Brewers -135 | Cubs +115 • Run line: Brewers -1.5 (+155) | Cubs +1.5 (-175) • Over/Under: 7.5 runs PLAYERS TO WATCH • Nico Hoerner (CHC): Leads postseason with four stolen bases; gets on ahead of power bats. • Sal Frelick (MIL): Two-hit effort in Game 4 despite defeat; batting .368 this series. • Cody Bellinger (CHC): Quiet 2-for-15 so far; career .986 OPS in elimination games. • William Contreras (MIL): Switch-hitting catcher carries a .923 OPS vs. left-handers, critical against Pomeranz. STAT TO KNOW The Cubs are 6-2 in winner-take-all postseason games since 2015. The Brewers are 1-4 in such games over the same span, their lone victory coming in last year’s Wild Card round. BOTTOM LINE Every pitch will matter in this classic NL Central grudge match. If Chicago’s opener strategy pays off and the offense cracks Peralta early, the Cubs could write another chapter in their recent postseason renaissance. But backed by a raucous crowd and dominant late-inning arms, Milwaukee has the formula to punch its ticket to the NLCS and extend the franchise’s best season in a decade. One game, two rivals, and 27 outs to decide it all.