The Milwaukee Brewers secured a commanding victory against the Chicago Cubs, winning **9-3** in Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) on **October 7, 2023**. The Brewers’ explosive start, highlighted by a six-run first inning, set the tone for the match and put them ahead in the best-of-five series.
Milwaukee’s offense came out swinging, sending **11 batters** to the plate in the opening frame. This aggressive approach forced Cubs’ starting pitcher **Matt Boyd**, an All-Star, out of the game after just one inning. Boyd’s brief outing marked the shortest postseason start for a Cubs pitcher since the **1945 World Series**, raising concerns about the team’s pitching depth.
Despite the setback, the Cubs found some offensive spark through solo home runs from **Nico Hoerner**, **Ian Happ**, and **Michael Busch**, contributing to their three runs. However, with no runners on base during these home runs, the Cubs could not mount a significant challenge against the Brewers’ lead.
Turning to the bullpen, the Cubs benefited from **Aaron Civale**, who pitched **4.1 innings** of relief. Civale, acquired from the Brewers earlier in the season, managed to stabilize the game and prevent further damage, allowing the Cubs to minimize the use of their bullpen.
### Injury Concerns for Brewers
The victory was overshadowed by injury worries for the Brewers, particularly regarding **Jackson Chourio**. The promising 21-year-old left the game with **right hamstring tightness** after an impressive offensive showing, which included a leadoff double and a two-run single during the first inning. Chourio also recorded an RBI single in the second inning, making him the first player to achieve three hits in the first two innings of a postseason game.
Brewers manager **Pat Murphy** expressed concern about Chourio’s condition, noting the player had previously spent a month on the injured list due to a similar hamstring issue. In a televised interview, Murphy stated, “It’s scary. He had a hamstring that kept him out a month, and it’s the same hamstring, so we’re worried about it. It’s really unfortunate.”
Chourio’s injury occurred after he beat out a throw to first base on a grounder, prompting immediate attention from Murphy and head athletic trainer **Brad Epstein**. Following this visit, **Isaac Collins** entered the game as a pinch runner and remained in left field.
As the Brewers prepare for Game 2, scheduled for **October 9, 2023**, they will look to build on their strong performance while hoping for good news regarding Chourio’s injury. The Cubs, meanwhile, must regroup quickly to avoid falling into a deeper deficit in the series.