Chourio Delivers Clutch Blast As Brewers Dominate Cubs To Seize Commanding NLDS Lead

 

Jackson Chourio is a star, and the Milwaukee Brewers look unstoppable. These two proclamations are the result of the 7-3 Milwaukee win over the Chicago Cubs Monday night at American Family Field. The Brewers, now holding a commanding 2-0 advantage in the best-of-five National League Division Series, need just one more victory to advance. This win puts the Cubs in a perilous position, facing a historical deficit that few teams have ever overcome.

The game felt like a heavyweight bout from the first bell, with both teams trading massive three-run homers in a wild opening inning. Chicago struck first, with Seiya Suzuki launching a towering shot that silenced the home crowd, but the Brewers answered immediately. Andrew Vaughn delivered a powerful blast of his own to tie the game, setting the stage for a tense showdown.

Milwaukee’s power surge continued as William Contreras broke the tie with a solo shot in the third inning. But it was Chourio, the sensational rookie whose status was in doubt due to a hamstring injury from Game 1, who delivered the knockout blow. His three-run homer in the fourth inning not only capped the scoring but also served as an emphatic statement about his toughness and the Brewers’ resilience.

Key Takeaways: Chourio and Vaughn Make History 

The Brewers’ offense, which ranked in the bottom third of the league for home runs during the regular season, exploded on Monday. They scored all seven of their runs via the long ball, a shocking display of power from a team known more for its contact-oriented approach. It proved that this Milwaukee club can win in more ways than one, a dangerous proposition for any opponent.

•  The Brewers hit not one, but two three-run homers in a single postseason game. This was a franchise first. Having played 55 postseason games in their history without a single three-run homer or grand slam, they broke that streak twice in four innings.  Vaughn and Chourio etched their names into the franchise record books with their timely blasts.
• Chourio’s performance was the story of the night. After leaving Game 1 with a hamstring issue, his availability was a major question mark. Not only did he play, but he delivered the decisive blow with a 419-foot homer, demonstrating a level of grit and talent that has defined his remarkable rookie season.
• Rookie flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski was nothing short of electric in his postseason debut. Coming into a high-leverage situation, he delivered three scoreless innings of middle relief, completely shutting down the Cubs’ offense. According to Statcast, he threw an astounding 31 pitches at 100 mph or faster, a record for a postseason game, topping out at a blistering 104.3 mph.
• Suzuki continues to be a bright spot for the Cubs. His first-inning, 440-foot home run gave Chicago an early lead and marked his seventh homer in his last nine games. He has been on an incredible tear, but his individual heroics haven’t been enough to carry the team to a victory.
• Chicago’s manager, Craig Counsell, pointedly noted his team’s inability to generate consistent pressure. “In the first two games, we have not created enough pressure on the Brewers,” he said. “We have to find a way to create more pressure. Hits, walks, we just need to find a way.” The Cubs’ offense has gone quiet for long stretches, a trend they must reverse to have any chance of a comeback.

Scoring Summary

1st Inning: The game started with a bang. The Cubs took a 3-0 lead when Suzuki hit a massive three-run home run. The Brewers didn’t flinch, answering in the bottom of the frame when Andrew Vaughn crushed a three-run homer of his own to tie the game at 3-3.

3rd Inning: With two outs, William Contreras stepped up and launched a solo home run to left field, breaking the tie and putting the Brewers ahead for good. The score was now 4-3 in favor of Milwaukee.

4th Inning: The Brewers put the game out of reach. With two runners on, Jackson Chourio hammered a pitch deep to center field for a three-run homer, extending Milwaukee’s lead to 7-3 and electrifying the home crowd.

The Brewers Can Win Series at Wrigley Field  

The Milwaukee Brewers are on the brink of their first NLCS appearance since 2018, holding a decisive 2-0 series lead. Their potent combination of timely power hitting and a lights-out bullpen has proven too much for the Cubs to handle through the first two games.

The series now shifts to the famously friendly confines of Wrigley Field for Game 3 on Wednesday. The Chicago Cubs face a do-or-die situation, needing a victory to extend their season and send the series to a fourth game. They will need to solve the Brewers’ pitching and find a way to generate more offense if they hope to climb out of this deep hole. First pitch is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. ET.

Series Schedule

Game 1: Chicago at Milwaukee, Saturday, Oct. 4, Brewers win 9-3, lead series 1-0
Game 2: Chicago at Milwaukee, Monday, Oct. 6, Brewers win 9-3, lead series 2-0 

Game 3: Milwaukee at Chicago, Wednesday, Oct. 8, TBS
Game 4 (if necessary): Milwaukee at Chicago, Thursday, Oct. 9, TBS
Game 5 (if necessary): Chicago at Milwaukee, Saturday, Oct. 11, TBS