Brewers Dominate Cubs in NLDS Opener, Cubs Question Starting Decisions
Brewers Make a Statement in Game 1 of NLDS
In an electrifying start to the NLDS, the Milwaukee Brewers took charge against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, smashing their rivals with a solid 9-3 victory. The game kicked off dramatically with Michael Busch leading off with a solo home run, but it was all downhill for the Cubs from there.
The Brewers showcased their offensive firepower, scoring nine consecutive runs in the first two innings, completely overwhelming Chicago. Milwaukee's aggressive approach forced Cubs starter Matthew Boyd out of the game after just two outs in the first inning, a decision that raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike.
Further complicating the Cubs' efforts, the Brewers chased Michael Soroka from the mound in the second inning. A standout performance came from Jackson Chourio, who racked up three hits within those first two frames before exiting due to hamstring tightness.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell's decision to start Boyd on short rest—having thrown 58 pitches in a Wild Card Round win just days prior—came under intense scrutiny. Boyd has only pitched on three days' rest three times in his career, and with a prior ERA of 4.70 in such scenarios, there was palpable concern over the choice.
“He's going on three days, he's going on a small number of pitches,” Counsell stated before the game. “But, yeah, I think he had his head on it, probably when he got in the dugout.” Despite his assurances, the outcome bore a stark contrast to expectations, with the pitching move blowing up as the Cubs fell into a 1-0 series deficit.
This matchup was not solely about managerial decisions. The Cubs struggled across all departments, allowing an early run to score due to an error and failing to capitalize against Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, who delivered a strong performance with 5.2 innings pitched, allowing four hits, two runs, and striking out nine.
As the Cubs pick up the pieces, they now face a crucial Game 2 on Monday at 9:08 p.m. ET on TBS, where they will look to bounce back and level the series.
