The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs have had several high-stakes matchups in the 2025 MLB season, with each team experiencing moments of dominance and disappointment as their rivalry intensifies.
In late July, the teams faced off in a back-to-back series at American Family Field. The Brewers opened the series with a strong 9–3 victory, showcasing a balanced offensive attack. Christian Yelich played a key role, driving in multiple runs and helping Milwaukee take early control of the game. However, the Cubs bounced back the very next day. Their offense came alive behind Michael Busch, who led off with a home run, and Moisés Ballesteros, who cleared the bases with a double. Chicago won the game 10–3, evening the series and halting the Brewers’ momentum temporarily.
Just a few weeks later, in mid-August, the Brewers visited Wrigley Field and delivered a dominant 7–0 shutout win over the Cubs. Freddy Peralta was electric on the mound, tossing six shutout innings and allowing just one hit. It marked his 15th win of the season—the most in the majors at that point. Offensively, Milwaukee was powered by home runs from Brice Turang and Caleb Durbin, with both players also collecting multiple RBIs. The Brewers erupted for five runs in the eighth inning to seal the win. Unfortunately for the Cubs, the second game of that day’s doubleheader was postponed due to heavy rain, delaying any chance at immediate redemption.
Earlier in the season, the Cubs had delivered a statement of their own with a 10–0 win in early May. That game featured a grand slam by Michael Busch—his first in the majors—and two home runs from Pete Crow-Armstrong. The Cubs pitching staff was nearly flawless, silencing the Brewers’ bats and handing Milwaukee one of its most lopsided losses of the season.
In mid-June, the Brewers returned the favor with a narrow 8–7 win in a thriller at Wrigley Field. Isaac Collins delivered a clutch three-run homer, while Caleb Durbin added a two-run shot to build a lead. Despite a late surge by the Cubs, which included home runs from Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ, the Brewers held on for the win, highlighting their resilience and bullpen strength.
As the season has progressed, the Brewers have gained the upper hand in the rivalry, especially with their strong performances in August. Their combination of power hitting, aggressive baserunning, and reliable pitching—especially from veterans like Freddy Peralta—has pushed them ahead in the division standings. The Cubs have shown flashes of power and promise, particularly from younger talents and emerging hitters, but inconsistency has made it difficult for them to keep pace.
With the regular season entering its final stretch, these head-to-head battles between the Brewers and Cubs could play a crucial role in deciding the NL Central title race—or at least the wild card standings. Each game has brought drama, highlight-worthy plays, and added fuel to one of baseball’s oldest and most competitive rivalries.
Adding more context to their 2025 season meetings, the rivalry between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs has not only been competitive but also emotionally charged, as both clubs have been fighting for positioning in the National League Central. While the Brewers have recently taken a lead in the division, the Cubs have remained in striking distance, often delivering big offensive performances but struggling with consistency on the mound.
One of the defining aspects of their recent games has been Milwaukee’s pitching dominance, especially from Freddy Peralta. His outing in August, where he pitched six innings of one-hit baseball, was a strong reminder of how vital he is to Milwaukee's postseason hopes. It was the kind of performance that sets a tone for the clubhouse and energizes the team. Milwaukee’s bullpen, often criticized in past seasons, has quietly become more dependable, especially in late innings. In several close games against the Cubs, they’ve been able to lock things down despite pressure from a dangerous Chicago lineup.
The Brewers' offense, though not as explosive as the Cubs at their best, has been more consistent. Veteran leadership from Christian Yelich has helped steady the younger players, and guys like Brice Turang and Caleb Durbin have stepped up with clutch hits, including timely home runs in key series. Their ability to manufacture runs—whether through small ball or the occasional big fly—has given them an edge in tight games, especially when Chicago’s defense has faltered.
For the Cubs, the story has been more of a rollercoaster. Their lineup can erupt at any moment, as seen when they scored 10 runs against Milwaukee on multiple occasions this season. Pete Crow-Armstrong has emerged as a key offensive spark, delivering multi-homer games and showing surprising power. Michael Busch has also been a breakout name, with timely hits and crucial home runs, including his grand slam earlier in the season that helped deliver one of Chicago’s most dominant wins over Milwaukee. However, the Cubs' starting pitching has been inconsistent. While there are bright spots, they’ve struggled to contain the Brewers’ lineup in key moments and have relied heavily on offense to bail them out.
Weather has even played a role in the rivalry this season. During their scheduled doubleheader in August at Wrigley Field, the second game had to be postponed due to heavy rain. That delay was likely frustrating for the Cubs, who had just been shut out 7–0 in Game 1 and needed a bounce-back opportunity. The cancellation left the series unfinished and may have added to the psychological advantage the Brewers now hold.
Looking forward, these two teams are still likely to cross paths again before the season wraps. If the division race tightens, or if one of them is clawing for a Wild Card spot, every inning of their remaining matchups will carry postseason implications. The Brewers seem to be more stable and playoff-ready, while the Cubs remain dangerous but volatile. Each game is becoming more intense, with playoff energy already settling over this long-standing rivalry.
Continuing with the 2025 season story between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs, their matchups have carried weight not just in the standings but in how each team defines its identity this year. The Brewers have leaned into a more disciplined, efficient brand of baseball, while the Cubs have struggled with inconsistency despite having high-end talent and a strong farm system contributing at the major league level.
As the season has unfolded, one of the more noticeable contrasts has been how each team handles high-leverage situations. The Brewers have been excellent in tight games—especially late innings. Whether it’s a timely double down the line, a squeeze bunt, or a bases-loaded walk, Milwaukee has shown an ability to capitalize on mistakes. That edge was clear in their 8–7 win at Wrigley Field earlier this summer, where they built an early lead and survived a late push from the Cubs. The win wasn’t flashy, but it was gritty—precisely the kind of game that defines a playoff team.
In comparison, the Cubs have had more explosive highs and deeper lows. They’ve had big offensive outputs—scoring 10 runs in multiple games against Milwaukee this season—but they’ve also collapsed defensively or on the mound when it mattered most. One of the key themes in their season is that when the long ball isn’t working, they often struggle to generate runs. That dependence on the home run has sometimes left them stranded in low-scoring affairs, especially when Milwaukee’s pitching staff is locked in.
One of the emotional drivers in this rivalry has been the emergence of younger players. For the Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong has been a fan favorite, with highlight-reel defense and clutch home runs that have kept Wrigley Field electric. Michael Busch has similarly been a source of power, especially in their early-season blowout win. But the Cubs’ young rotation hasn’t always held up. They've had issues with walks, pitch count inefficiency, and allowing big innings—especially when trying to go deep into games against disciplined hitters like Yelich or Turang.
For the Brewers, the infusion of younger role players like Caleb Durbin and Brice Turang has been significant. Turang, in particular, has matured quickly, contributing on both sides of the ball. His presence in the middle infield has added defensive stability, while his recent power surge has helped Milwaukee add depth to its lineup. These young contributors aren’t just filling spots—they’re winning games, and doing so without needing to carry the team.
Another factor that’s made this rivalry special in 2025 is the stakes. Both teams know that the NL Central could come down to just a few games. The Brewers are leading the division now, but Chicago remains within reach, especially with more head-to-head games on the schedule. Every series between them has been a potential momentum swing. For the Brewers, taking two out of three in a recent series gave them breathing room atop the standings. For the Cubs, dropping those games added pressure and urgency.
The upcoming games—especially if a rescheduled doubleheader happens—could be critical. The energy between the two dugouts has already intensified, and the familiarity is breeding tension. Managers are making quicker pitching changes, players are chirping more across the diamond, and fans are showing up louder than usual. This isn’t just a rivalry out of tradition—it’s one born from real competition this season.
As September approaches and playoff hopes either solidify or slip away, expect these two teams to play each other like it’s October. Whether it’s the Brewers trying to secure home-field advantage or the Cubs clawing for a Wild Card spot, these matchups are becoming some of the most compelling in all of baseball this year.
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