UPDATE: The Milwaukee Brewers have surged to a commanding 7-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, moving just one win away from the NL Championship Series. This decisive win took place on the night of October 9, 2023, as the Brewers now hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
With this latest victory, the Brewers are poised to make postseason history. Teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five series have triumphed 80 out of 90 times, with a staggering 54 sweeps recorded. The series now shifts to Wrigley Field in Chicago for Game 3 on Wednesday, where the Brewers will look to clinch their first postseason series win since 2018.
In a thrilling display of power, Andrew Vaughn and Jackson Chourio each launched a three-run homer, marking the first time in Brewers postseason history that two players achieved this feat in the same game. William Contreras contributed with a critical solo shot that broke a 3-all tie in the third inning, solidifying the Brewers’ dominance.
While the Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki hit a formidable three-run homer in the first inning, it was not enough to keep pace with the Brewers’ explosive offense. Starting pitcher Aaron Ashby, who switched roles from the bullpen to opener, allowed the early runs but the Brewers’ relief pitchers—Nick Mears, Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, Jared Koenig, Trevor Megill, and Abner Uribe—combined for 7 1/3 innings of shutout relief, allowing just one hit.
“We didn’t put enough pressure on them,”
said Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “First two innings, we did a nice job. But we had two at-bats with runners in scoring position today. That’s a sign we’re not putting enough pressure on.” This lack of offensive production proved detrimental to the Cubs’ chances.
In a standout performance, rookie Jacob Misiorowski earned the win, throwing three scoreless innings while hitting over 100 mph on 31 of his 57 pitches. His impressive speed, peaking at 104.3 mph, left the Cubs’ hitters struggling to keep up.
The Brewers’ first-inning response, initiated by Vaughn’s home run that tied the game, marked a historic moment as it was the first playoff game where both teams hit three-run homers in the opening inning. Contreras’ shot and Chourio’s follow-up were critical in establishing the Brewers’ lead and momentum.
Chourio, who had previously exited Game 1 due to a hamstring issue, returned to the leadoff spot and went 3 for 3 with three RBIs in Game 1, showcasing his resilience and crucial role in the lineup.
As the Brewers prepare for their next challenge at Wrigley Field, all eyes will be on whether they can complete the sweep and advance to the NLCS for the first time since their Game 7 appearance in 2018. Fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an intense showdown on Wednesday.
Stay tuned for the latest updates as this thrilling postseason unfolds!