The Chicago Cubs fell short against the Milwaukee Brewers in Saturday’s winner-take-all NLDS finale. The Cubs came back from an 0-2 hole when the series shifted to Chicago. The crowd at Wrigley Field provided a boost as the team forced a decisive Game 5. But the Brewers are moving on after holding the Cubs to one run in their NLDS-clinching win.

Drew Pomeranz got the start in Game 5 for Chicago. The veteran reliever made an incredible comeback after missing over three seasons following elbow surgery in 2021. But William Contreras put a damper on the inspiring story with a solo home run in the first inning.

Seiya Suzuki tied the game with a homer off Jacob Misiorowski in the top of the second. The Cubs then turned to their bullpen, sending Colin Rea in for Pomeranz. Rea worked two strong innings before an Andrew Vaughn solo shot gave the Brewers a 2-1 lead.

Cubs fall short in NLDS finale

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) watches his solo home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Andrew Kittredge (59) during the seventh inning during game five of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at American Family Field.
Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Both teams’ bullpens worked efficiently into the seventh inning as the game developed into a tense duel. But Brice Turang created some breathing room for Milwaukee with the fourth solo home run of the game. Abner Uribe then took the mound and slammed the door on the Cubs, closing out the 3-1 victory and sending the Brewers to the NLCS.

It’s a disappointing finish for a Chicago team that appeared ready for a deep postseason run.  Unfortunately for Cubs fans, the club’s big bats were quiet Saturday.

The Brewers allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out eight batters. Kyle Tucker, Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong combined to go 0-11 with five strikeouts in Game 5. Tucker, Chicago’s marquee offseason addition, had one extra-base hit and one RBI in eight playoff games.

After the tough loss, Cubs fans weighed in on the series.

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Alex Salvi wrote:
“The silver lining in that loss is that it makes the decision easy for the front office: Let Tucker walk; move on from Happ. Spend on starting pitching and a couple big bats.”

Hector Campos added:
“Ship Happ off to the moon it’s time”

Cheesehead commented:
“PCA under the brightest of lights DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING like a true mvp!!”

Nathan Stefanov added:
“Kyle Tucker is gone. He is one of the worst players on this roster. 500m for what? He deserves absolutely nothing. He is the most non competitive low leverage player in the mlb.”

Mayor of Barlow wrote:
“Disappointed? Sure. Proud of our boys? You bet!!! Looking forward to next year and the chapters to be written with this team”