Brewers beat Cubs 7–3 in NLDS Game 2 — three homers, a dominant bullpen and Jacob Misiorowski’s electric relief outing give Milwaukee a 2–0 series lead. Full recap, stats, tactical takeaways & viewing info.

Brewers vs Cubs: One-line snapshot

Milwaukee slugged three homers and rode an extraordinary bullpen performance — led by rookie Jacob Misiorowski — to a 7–3 win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the NLDS, putting the Brewers on the brink of a series sweep with a 2–0 lead.

Why Cubs – Brewers mattered

This was not a regular-season game: it was the National League Division Series, postseason baseball where every swing, high-leverage inning and bullpen decision is magnified. The Brewers arrived as the top seed and a franchise-record 97-win team; the Cubs needed a response at Wrigley Field to avoid going down 0–2 in a best-of-five series. Beyond the scoreboard, Game 2 delivered two narratives that will shape the series: Milwaukee’s emergence as an offense that can slug with power in October, and the sudden ascension of a flamethrowing rookie reliever who changed the game as soon as he entered. Those are storylines worth tracking as the series moves to Chicago.

Quick scoreboard — what readers want first

• Final (NLDS Game 2): Milwaukee Brewers 7, Chicago Cubs 3.
• Key homers: Andrew Vaughn (game-tying three-run homer), Jackson Chourio (three-run homer), William Contreras (solo).
• Bullpen star: Jacob Misiorowski threw three scoreless relief innings — topping 100 mph and striking out four — as part of a perfect 7⅓-inning relief shutout.
• Series status: Brewers lead the best-of-five NLDS 2–0 and will head to Wrigley Field for Game 3.
• Where to watch: Games were broadcast on TBS with streaming via HBO Max (regional windows vary).

How the game unfolded — inning-by-inning narrative

Early fireworks, Cubs strike first

Chicago opened the scoring in the first inning when Seiya Suzuki belted a three-run homer that made it look like Wrigley might have the momentum. The Cubs’ early punch was the kind of start a home crowd loves — but it didn’t last. (Cubs lineup and scoring details are in the official boxscore.)

Milwaukee answers — power on parade

Milwaukee’s reaction was immediate and emphatic. Andrew Vaughn answered with a three-run blast that tied the game in the first; William Contreras followed with a solo homer in the third; Jackson Chourio’s three-run shot in the fourth put the Brewers firmly in front. The homers — from different parts of the order — signaled that Milwaukee’s offense could be explosive even in playoff pressure.

Bullpen takeover — Misiorowski and co. shut the door

Aaron Ashby made a short start for Milwaukee, but the bullpen truly decided the game. A chain of relievers — Nick Mears, Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, Jared Koenig, Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe — combined for 7⅓ innings of shutout baseball, allowing just one hit and striking out 10 in relief. Misiorowski’s 31-pitch, three-inning outing that topped 100 mph and produced four strikeouts was especially notable — a true rookie postseason debut and a pitch-tracking era headline.

Closing moments & series takeaway

Chicago managed no late rally. Abner Uribe saw action in the ninth to close the win and secure Milwaukee’s margin. With Game 1 already in hand (9–3), the Brewers now control the series and can finish the Cubs at Wrigley with a victory in Game 3.

 

Player spotlights — who changed the game

Jacob Misiorowski — the rookie who redefined “electric”

Misiorowski’s outing is the easiest place to start. A postseason debut that produces 31 pitches above 100 mph and three shutout innings with four strikeouts isn’t merely impressive — it’s historic in the pitch-tracking era. He stabilized the Brewers after a short start and handed the ball to a dominant relief chain that turned a one-run game into a controlled cruise to the finish. Expect teams to scout him heavily in the coming weeks.

Jackson Chourio & Andrew Vaughn — big swings, big impact

Chourio’s three-run shot in the middle innings and Vaughn’s early three-run homer were the two biggest momentum plays offensively. Both homers erased Chicago’s early advantage and supplied Milwaukee with the run cushion the bullpen would not surrender. Those are the moments that turn October games.

William Contreras — timely power

Contreras provided a solo homer that padded the lead and underscored how Milwaukee is getting timely contributions up and down the lineup. When a postseason lineup produces home runs from multiple hitters, it becomes very hard to defend.

Shota Imanaga & Cubs starters — tough night at the dish

For the Cubs, starting pitching and early offense (Suzuki’s homer) gave them a chance, but they couldn’t prevent a barrage of Milwaukee power or silence the Brewers’ bullpen. Shota Imanaga, who started for Chicago, has had a solid regular season but his postseason line shows some struggles; he’s an excellent pitcher overall but was unable to contain the Brewers’ big swings.

Tactical & pitching analysis — why Milwaukee won

1. Explosive run manufacturing: The Brewers didn’t rely on manufacturing singles alone; they hit the long ball when needed. Two three-run homers in a postseason game are usually the recipe for victory.
2. Bullpen depth & matchup sequencing: Milwaukee’s bullpen strategy — short leash on Ashby, followed by high-octane arms — worked perfectly. The relievers neutralized Chicago’s lineup for 7⅓ innings; that’s playoff-quality relief. Misiorowski’s triple-inning relief was the fulcrum, and the follow-through from the rest of the pen finished the job.
3. Chicago’s failure to extend rallies: Outside of the first inning, the Cubs were unable to string multiple hits together to pressure the Brewers’ pen. That inability to sustain rallies allowed Milwaukee’s offense to stay ahead and avoid late scare situations.

Key stats & matchup metrics

(Selected numbers from official boxscores and game stories.)

• Final score: Brewers 7, Cubs 3.
• Home runs: Andrew Vaughn (three-run), Jackson Chourio (three-run), William Contreras (solo).
• Bullpen innings (Milwaukee): 7⅓ innings, 1 hit allowed, 10 K, 0 runs.
• Jacob Misiorowski: 3.0 IP, 0 R, 4 K, topped 100 mph; historic pitch velocities for a postseason debut.
• Series: Brewers lead 2–0; Game 3 scheduled at Wrigley Field.

For the full play-by-play and inning-by-inning boxscore, see MLB’s game story and ESPN’s game page. (MLB.com)

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

 

Managerial moves & roster notes

• Pat Murphy (Brewers): Opted for a quick hook on Aaron Ashby and trusted a deep, well-prepared bullpen. That gamble paid dividends as the relievers combined for an almost flawless multi-inning shutdown.
• David Ross (Cubs): Managed his lineup around veteran presence (including Justin Turner leading off in Game 2) but couldn’t find a way to neutralize Misiorowski or stop Milwaukee’s 4th-inning onslaught. Justin Turner’s veteran presence was noted as part of Chicago’s attempt to add playoff savvy to their lineup. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Roster highlight: Abner Uribe was the closer who helped secure the final outs in Game 2 — a tidy finish to a dominant bullpen showing.

Turning points & decisive moments

1. Andrew Vaughn’s three-run home run (1st inning): Even though it tied the game, it showed Milwaukee’s willingness to answer quickly and aggressively.
2. Jackson Chourio’s three-run homer (4th inning): Broke the tie and turned the tide decisively in Milwaukee’s favor. (Brew Crew Ball)
3. Misiorowski’s relief entry and three shutout innings: Turned a close game into a bullpen-dominated affair and erased any concern about late Cubs rallies.

What this means for the series & both clubs

Brewers — in control and deep pen confidence

Milwaukee now has a 2–0 NLDS lead and will head to Wrigley needing one win to advance to the NL Championship Series. Their combination of power hitting and a deep bullpen makes them formidable in short series formats; if their pen stays hot they can match up well against any opponent. The Misiorowski revelation gives the Brewers another weapon down the stretch. (Reuters)

Cubs — must-win urgency

Chicago faces elimination in Game 3 at Wrigley. They need offensive answers and must find a way to solve Milwaukee’s bullpen sequencing. The Cubs’ staff will be digging into why the first inning home-run didn’t translate into sustained scoring and why their lineup couldn’t maintain pressure. Expect aggressive tactical changes and veteran adjustments as they try to keep their season alive.

NEVER doubt the power of Brewers Magic#MagicBrew x @UWCreditUnion pic.twitter.com/iWuaQ7w3gh

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) October 7, 2025

 

Notable player & coach quotes

• Jacob Misiorowski (Brewers): Reporters highlighted his composure in a debut that could’ve overwhelmed a rookie. His velocity and command in relief earned immediate praise. (See postgame interviews on Brewers’ site.) (Brew Crew Ball)
• Pat Murphy (Brewers manager): Praised the bullpen depth and the lineup contributions across the order, calling it a full-team effort. (Brew Crew Ball)
• David Ross (Cubs manager): Acknowledged Milwaukee’s power and the challenge of shutdown relief innings; emphasized the need to respond at home. (CBSSports.com)

For verbatim quotes consult the teams’ postgame pressers and wire recaps. (MLB.com)

Statcast & advanced angles worth exploring

• Misiorowski’s velocity spike: The rookie hit over 100 mph repeatedly — Statcast and pitch-tracking systems logged the fastest pitches of the night and set a postseason radar benchmark for a relief outing. That makes him a candidate for further high-leverage usage if the Brewers need late-inning firepower. (Brew Crew Ball)
• Barrel and exit-velocity profiles on homers: The homers from Vaughn and Chourio carry different launch angles and exit velocities — a signal that Milwaukee’s hitters were both patient and aggressive in the zone. Analysts will use xwOBA, hard-hit rates and chase metrics to evaluate how Milwaukee attacked Shota Imanaga and the Cubs’ bullpen. (StatMuse)

Viewing info — where to watch Brewers vs Cubs

• US national TV: TBS carried NLDS games with streaming on HBO Max; blackout rules and regional restrictions apply. Check local listings for radio and team network coverage. (Brew Crew Ball)
• International viewers: Regional sports networks, MLB.TV (where rights permit), and international broadcast partners carry postseason coverage depending on territory. For live updates, MLB.com and ESPN’s game center are reliable. (MLB.com)

Fantasy & betting takeaways

• DFS/Betting: Misiorowski’s velocity and strikeout upside make him an intriguing “live” player for future bullpen usage prop bets, but his role will be matchup dependent. Bettors should watch bullpen leverage and opposing lineups. (Brew Crew Ball)
• Fantasy baseball (postseason formats): Hustle and high-impact plays (three-run homers) from Vaughn and Chourio boost their short-series value; in keeper formats their October production raises their pedigree. (Brew Crew Ball)