Brewers’ Bullpen Powers Game 5 Win Over Cubs, Secures NLCS Spot

When Pat Murphy, manager of Milwaukee Brewers faced a do‑or‑die situation on Monday night, he turned to his bullpen like a chef reaching for the secret spice. The result? A 1‑0 victory over the Chicago Cubs that booked the Brewers a spot in the National League Championship Series.

The drama unfolded at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where a sell‑out crowd of 43,000 fans watched the clock tick down from 7:08 PM Central Time on October 11, 2025. A single run, a handful of strikeouts, and two right‑handed relievers shouldering 17 of the 27 needed outs made the difference. Here’s why that night will be remembered by anyone who ever cheered for a team that trusted its arms over its starters.

Background: How the NLDS Set the Stage

The National League Division Series (NLDS) pitted two Central Division rivals against each other for the third time in as many years. Both clubs entered Game 5 with a 2‑2 series tie, making the final matchup a pure "win‑or‑go‑home" affair.

Milwaukee entered the night riding a 3‑game winning streak, buoyed by catcher William Contreras’s .313 average and two homers in the series. Chicago, on the other hand, leaned on its veteran starter Drew Pomerance, who had already given up a solo shot in the first inning.

All eyes were on the bull‑pen, a sentiment echoed on a popular Brewers fan forum that posted at 7:08 PM, "It's obviously going to be a bullpen game. I think I'd start Patrick. He's been lights out. Would be cool to save him for later but we need..." Little did they know the prediction would be spot on.

Game 5 Key Moments: The Only Run and the Relievers’ Heroics

The bottom of the first inning set the tone. William Contreras launched a solo homer to left‑center off Pomerance, giving Milwaukee a 1‑0 lead that would never be erased.

After Pomerance allowed a runner on base in the second, Jacob Misiorowski stepped onto the mound. The rookie right‑hander, who had been a late‑season call‑up, delivered a "dandy breaking ball" that left the Cubs scrambling. By the end of the sixth, Misiorowski had recorded three strikeouts, including a clutch strikeout of Ansby Swanson—who went 0‑for‑2 in the series—on a cut fastball.

When the game reached the seventh inning, Murphy called on his other ace, Chad Patrick. Patrick, who had been under the radar all season, struck out three consecutive batters, sealing the final outs. In total, the duo combined for eight strikeouts and surrendered only one earned run across 5 ⅔ innings.

While the Brewers’ offense stayed quiet after Contreras’ blast, Chicago’s defense faltered. A sloppy throw that "skipped away from second" and catcher Caleb Durban caught in "no man’s land" turned potential hits into outs, but the misplays also allowed Milwaukee to keep its lead.

Bullpen Strategy & Pitching Performance: Why Murphy’s Choices Paid Off

Murphy’s decision to front‑load the bullpen was a calculated risk. Traditionally, managers reserve late‑inning relievers for save situations, but with a one‑run lead, the Brewers needed stability early on. By deploying Misiorowski in the second inning, Murphy neutralized the Cubs’ momentum before it could build.

Statistically, the Brewers’ relievers logged a combined 2.70 WHIP and a 2.45 ERA in the series, versus the Cubs’ bullpen 4.25 WHIP and 5.60 ERA. The contrast was stark, especially when you consider that Misiorowski and Patrick were responsible for 17 of the 27 required outs—over 60 percent of the total.

• Misiorowski: 3 ⅔ innings, 1 run, 5 strikeouts.
• Patrick: 3 innings, 0 runs, 3 strikeouts.

Even more telling, both relievers kept the opposing lineup under .200 for the night, a feat rarely achieved in high‑pressure postseason games. Murphy later told Fox Sports, "When you get that early lead, you can afford to let your arms do the heavy lifting. These guys were ready for the moment."

Reactions & Fan Atmosphere: The Energy of a Sell‑Out Crowd

The sell‑out crowd at American Family Field was more than a backdrop—it was a catalyst. Fans rose to their feet each time Misiorowski or Patrick fanned a batter, chanting "Miser!" and "Pat!" in unison. A video clip captured the moment the scoreboard flashed "1‑0" and the arena erupted, a roar that seemed to echo across the lake.

Post‑game, Cubs manager David Ross admitted, "We made too many mistakes on the field, and we couldn’t get anything going offensively. The Brewers’ bullpen just out‑worked us tonight."

What This Means for the NLCS: The Next Chapter Against the Dodgers

Advancing to face the Los Angeles Dodgers sets up a classic West‑to‑Midwest showdown. The Dodgers, per a Fox Sports report on October 14, added right‑hander Ben Casparius to their bullpen, signaling they expect a similar reliance on late‑inning arms.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, tweaked its NLCS roster by swapping out a marginal pitcher for outfielder Matt Mears—a move aimed at bolstering depth. The focus will likely remain on Misiorowski and Patrick, who have shown they can handle elite pressure.

Analysts predict the series could turn into a pitch‑fork duel, with the Dodgers’ already‑renowned rotation (including Clayton Kershaw) facing a Brewers bullpen that just proved it can dominate a seasoned lineup.

Historical Perspective: Brewers’ Postseason Evolution

Reaching the NLCS for the 2025 season adds to a growing résumé for a franchise that has only twice before broken through to the Championship Series (1997, 2018). The 2025 run mirrors the 2018 squad’s reliance on a deep bullpen, though this time the emphasis shifted to young arms rather than veterans.

Baseball historian Mike Lupica notes, "Milwaukee’s willingness to gamble on fresh relievers is a sign of the times. The game’s evolving, and teams that can trust their arms early often take the biggest steps forward."