In a display of postseason firepower that harkened back to their glory days, the Milwaukee Brewers erupted for nine runs in the first two innings to secure a 9-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on October 4, 2025, at American Family Field. The win, propelled by starter Freddy Peralta’s gritty 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball and a relentless lineup that chased Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd after just 21 pitches, gave the Central Division champions a 1-0 series lead and set an electric tone for their deepest playoff run since 2018. Yet, the jubilation in the cream city was tempered by a gut-wrenching moment in the second inning, when rookie sensation Jackson Chourio, fresh off etching his name into baseball lore with three hits in the game’s opening frames, pulled up lame while legging out an infield single, exiting with right hamstring tightness that recalled a midseason setback.
The Brewers, who clinched the NL Central with a 97-65 record—their third straight division title under manager Pat Murphy—entered the playoffs riding a wave of momentum, having won seven of their final 10 regular-season games despite a rash of pitching injuries that tested their bullpen depth. Peralta, the 29-year-old right-hander who logged a career-best 3.47 ERA over 178 innings, set the stage early by retiring the side in order in the first, fanning two Cubs in the process. Milwaukee’s offense, ranked fourth in the majors with 4.78 runs per game, wasted no time, sending 11 men to the plate in the bottom half and plating six, highlighted by Willy Adames’ two-run homer and William Contreras’ RBI double.
Chourio, the 21-year-old Venezuelan phenom who signed a landmark eight-year, $100 million extension before his 2024 debut, ignited the rally with a leadoff double to left-center off Boyd, scorching the ball at 102 mph and showcasing the elite exit velocity that defined his breakout sophomore campaign. He scampered home on Christian Yelich’s sharp single to right, then delivered a two-run single to center in the same frame, his 89.3 mph average exit velo translating into a gap shot that cleared the bases. By inning’s end, the score stood 6-0, and American Family Field—a venue that hadn’t hosted a postseason clincher since 1982—rocked with 42,000 fans chanting for more.
The second inning brought more of the same, as Milwaukee tacked on three more against a shell-shocked Boyd, who surrendered a bases-loaded RBI single to Brice Turang before getting the hook with two outs. Chourio, batting second for the first time in the playoffs, capped his dream start with another single—this time a grounder up the middle that he beat out for an infield hit, driving in Contreras from third to make it 9-1. But as he crossed first base, the young outfielder’s stride faltered; he slowed dramatically, grimacing and clutching his right leg before collapsing in a heap. Athletic trainers rushed to his side, and after a brief huddle with Murphy, Chourio limped off under his own power, replaced by pinch-runner Isaac Collins, who stayed in left field.
The injury, officially diagnosed as right hamstring tightness, struck a chord of familiarity for Brewers fans, as it mirrored the strain Chourio suffered on July 29 against these same Cubs—a tweak that sidelined him for most of August and forced him to rehab aggressively to return for September’s pennant push. In his first full season, Chourio had blossomed into a cornerstone, slashing .272/.329/.487 with 21 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases over 152 games, his 42.3% hard-hit rate and 9.7% barrel rate underscoring the five-tool potential that made him the organization’s top prospect. Murphy, addressing reporters post-game, wore a mask of cautious optimism: “Having that same hamstring injury to the same leg, we’re hoping that it’s something he can come back from soon.”
With Chourio’s status uncertain pending MRI results scheduled for early Saturday, the Brewers’ medical staff emphasized a day-to-day approach, noting no swelling or severe pain on initial exam. Collins, a 24-year-old rookie called up in September, acquitted himself well in relief, snagging a fly ball in the third and legging out a double in the fourth that sparked a brief rally. Milwaukee’s depth in the outfield—bolstered by Sal Frelick’s .289 average and Joey Wiemer’s Gold Glove pedigree—offers a buffer, but losing Chourio’s spark at the top of the order would sting, especially against a Cubs staff featuring Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga in Games 2 and 3.
Peralta, meanwhile, steadied after a rocky third where Michael Busch belted a two-run homer to cut the deficit to 9-2, settling in to strand four runners over his final three frames. The bullpen, a unit that posted a 3.12 ERA in September despite missing closer Devin Williams to elbow discomfort, slammed the door: Bryan Hudson tossed a scoreless sixth, Abner Uribe struck out the side in the seventh, and Nick Mears induced a game-ending groundout from Moises Ballesteros in the ninth. The victory marked Milwaukee’s first home playoff win since 2011, a milestone that had eluded them in recent Wild Card exits.
Chourio’s Meteoric Rise: From Prospect to Postseason Star
Jackson Chourio’s journey to this moment began in Maracay, Venezuela, where the wiry teen caught scouts’ eyes with his plus speed and raw power, leading to his signing with Milwaukee in 2019 for $1.8 million. Hyped as a generational talent after slashing .331/.386/.572 across High-A and Double-A in 2023, he arrived in the majors last April amid sky-high expectations, stumbling initially with a .220 April but erupting for 12 homers in May-June. His 2025 campaign built on that foundation, blending patience at the plate—drawing 68 walks against 112 strikeouts—with gap-to-gap authority that saw him leg out 28 doubles alongside his long balls.
Defensively, Chourio’s transition to center field proved seamless, his 12 assists and .989 fielding percentage earning All-Rookie nods, while his baserunning added 4.2 runs above average per Baseball Savant metrics. Off the field, the soft-spoken slugger endeared himself to Milwaukee with his work ethic, often the first to arrive at the cages and last to leave, mentoring prospects like Jeferson Quero. In the clubhouse, veterans like Yelich praised his maturity: “Jackie’s got that quiet fire—you see it in how he grinds, how he celebrates his teammates’ hits like they’re his own.”
Yet, durability has been Chourio’s Achilles’ heel, with the July hamstring tweak—sustained while chasing a fly ball in Wrigley Field—limiting him to 112 games and prompting questions about his workload at age 21. The Brewers, mindful of preserving their investment, capped his September innings in center, shifting him to left for rest days, a strategy that paid dividends in his .312 clip down the stretch. As the NLDS dawned, analysts pegged him as Milwaukee’s X-factor, his .328 wOBA against lefties like Boyd making him a nightmare matchup.
Game 1 Breakdown: A Masterclass in Early Aggression
To dissect Milwaukee’s rout, several pivotal sequences defined the afternoon, blending opportunistic hitting with opportunistic pitching:
- Chourio’s Leadoff Double and Yelich’s RBI Single: Opening the bottom of the first, Chourio ripped a 2-2 fastball from Boyd into the left-center gap, his 110 mph exit speed turning it into a standup double that chased the left fielder to the wall. Yelich followed with a line drive single to right, plating Chourio for the 1-0 lead and setting up the avalanche; this early speed pressured Chicago’s defense, forcing an errant throw that advanced Yelich to second. The sequence not only ignited the rally but highlighted Chourio’s on-base prowess, reaching safely in his first two plate appearances.
- Adames’ Two-Run Homer Amid the Chaos: With two aboard after walks to Turang and Contreras, Adames crushed a hanging slider 412 feet to right-center, his 22nd playoff homer extending the lead to 4-0 and chasing Boyd after just 28 pitches. The blast, Adames’ third long ball in his last five games, capitalized on Milwaukee’s disciplined approach, fouling off five two-strike pitches before capitalizing. It shifted momentum irrevocably, as Chicago’s bullpen—summoned early—struggled to stem the tide, allowing two more runs before the inning closed.
- Contreras’ RBI Double in the First-Inning Extension: After Adames’ dinger, Contreras laced a two-out double down the left-field line off reliever Jordan Wicks, scoring Turang from first and pushing the score to 6-0. The backstop’s .302 average with runners in scoring position proved clutch again, his 98 mph line drive exploiting a shift that left the pull side open. This hit underscored the Brewers’ depth, with Contreras—acquired in the 2022 trade that sent Corbin Burnes to the Cubs—delivering in big spots against his former organization.
- Turang’s Bases-Loaded Walk and Chourio’s Final Hit: In the second, Turang drew a full-count walk with the bases juiced, forcing home Perkins for the 7-1 bulge before Chourio’s infield single plated Contreras. Turang’s plate discipline—leading the NL with 92 walks—forced Wicks into traffic, while Chourio’s hustle on the grounder, beating it out by a step, exemplified the team’s aggressive baserunning that stole 142 bags in the regular season. Though it precipitated the injury, the play added three runs, ballooning the lead and allowing Peralta to navigate with a cushion.
- Peralta’s Bounce-Back After Busch’s Homer: Trailing 9-2 in the third, Busch’s 398-foot solo shot and Dansby Swanson’s RBI single tested Peralta, but he stranded the go-ahead runners by fanning Seiya Suzuki and inducing a double-play grounder. The Dominican’s slider, generating 15 whiffs, stabilized the outing, limiting Chicago to four hits over his stint. This resilience mirrored his regular-season form, where he rebounded from a 4.50 ERA in June to 2.89 post-All-Star break.
- Bullpen Lockdown: Uribe and Mears Shine: Uribe’s seven-pitch seventh—three strikeouts on heat up to 99 mph—bridged to Mears, who navigated a bases-loaded jam in the eighth by retiring Ian Happ on a fielder’s choice. The duo’s 1.98 combined ERA in September preserved Peralta’s gem, with Mears’ changeup inducing weak contact from lefties like Cody Bellinger. Their efficiency—12 pitches for six outs—exemplified Murphy’s high-leverage trust in youth.
- Chicago’s Late Rally Falls Short: The Cubs scratched across a run in the ninth on Patrick Wisdom’s sacrifice fly, but Mears closed the door with a 6-4-3 double play, stranding the tying run at the plate. Chicago’s 8-for-32 with runners in scoring position wasted opportunities, as their .234 October OPS belied a regular-season surge. This futility highlighted mismatches against Milwaukee’s arms, setting up a must-win in Game 2.
- Defensive Gems Seal the Deal: Frelick’s diving catch in right-center robbed Suzuki of extra bases in the fourth, while Turang’s slick pivot on a 4-6-3 DP in the sixth erased threats. These plays, contributing to Peralta’s low .238 opponent average on balls in play, reflected the Brewers’ +12 defensive runs saved, tops in the NL. Such fundamentals turned potential rallies into three-and-outs, conserving energy for the series grind.
These moments encapsulated a Brewers team built for October, blending youth and savvy in a formula that overwhelmed a Cubs squad fighting from the No. 5 seed after a 92-70 wildcard push.
The Brewers’ Resilient Path to the Postseason
Milwaukee’s 2025 odyssey was one of perseverance, starting with a 6-6 April marred by injuries to ace Brandon Woodruff and closer Josh Hader, yet surging to a franchise-record 28-9 June that vaulted them into first. The rotation, anchored by Peralta and Tobias Myers’ 3.31 ERA, absorbed blows like Colin Rea’s Tommy John surgery in May, relying on spot starters like Aaron Civale to post a 3.76 staff mark. Offensively, the club’s .777 team OPS—fueled by Adames’ 32 homers and Yelich’s .316 average—peaked in September with 5.4 runs per game, clinching on the penultimate day against the Reds.
The NLDS matchup with Chicago, a rematch of their July 29 thriller where Chourio first tweaked his hamstring, carried extra spice, with the Cubs boasting a 5-2 edge in the season series but faltering late. Milwaukee’s home-field advantage, earned via the division crown, proved prescient, as their 54-27 American Family record translated to early dominance. Murphy, in his third year, credited the club’s culture: “We’ve got guys who play for each other—Jackie embodies that, and tonight showed why we’re here.”
As the series shifts to Wrigley Field for Game 2 on October 5, with Myers facing Steele, the Brewers hold the edge but grapple with uncertainty. Chourio’s MRI, expected to reveal the strain’s severity—potentially a Grade 1 tweak allowing a quick return or worse sidelining him for the series—looms large, his absence forcing adjustments like slotting Frelick to leadoff or elevating Turang higher.
Fan reaction poured in via social media, with #ChourioStrong trending locally as supporters shared clips of his three-hit barrage juxtaposed with prayers for recovery. The injury, occurring on the same leg and against the same foe as July’s, fueled narratives of resilience, with one longtime season-ticket holder telling reporters, “He’s our future—whatever it takes, he’ll be back swinging.”
Injury’s Shadow: Implications for Milwaukee’s Lineup and Series Outlook
Should Chourio miss time, the ripple effects extend beyond left field; his .319 xwOBA against righties like Imanaga would be missed atop the order, potentially dropping Yelich to second and inserting Andruw Monasterio’s .248 average in the hole. Milwaukee’s bench, deep with switch-hitter Oliver Dunn’s power and Jake Bauers’ versatility, mitigates somewhat, but Chourio’s 4.5 fWAR—third on the team—underscores his value. Historically, hamstring strains at his age recover swiftly; his August return saw him hit .295 over 25 games, suggesting optimism if imaging confirms mildness.
The Cubs, meanwhile, rued an opening loss that exposed their bullpen’s 4.85 October ERA, with Wicks allowing three runs in 1/3 inning and Hector Neris balking in a run. Chicago’s offense, powered by Busch’s 28 homers and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s speed, mustered just eight hits but left 10 on base, a stark contrast to their 4.92 road runs per game. Manager Craig Counsell, facing his former club for the first time in the playoffs, lamented the start: “We blinked first—they made us pay.”
Beyond the box score, Game 1 reinforced Milwaukee’s identity as spoilers, their 9-3 tally evoking the 2011 NLDS upset over the Diamondbacks. With a 1-0 cushion, the Brewers eye a sweep that could propel them to the NLCS against the Dodgers or Padres, but Chourio’s health remains the wildcard, his youth a double-edged sword in the grind of October.
Post-game, the clubhouse buzzed with defiance, Adames donning Chourio’s jersey for interviews and vowing, “This is for Jackie—we’re winning this series for him.” Peralta, who grew up idolizing Milwaukee’s 1982 pennant winners, echoed the sentiment: “He’s our little brother; we’ll carry the load till he’s back.” As confetti fell and “On, Wisconsin” blared, the focus sharpened on tomorrow, where Myers’ sinkerball mastery meets Steele’s cutter, but all eyes awaited word on the kid who lit the fuse.
Conclusion: Triumph and Trial in Milwaukee’s October Dawn
The Brewers’ 9-3 dismantling of the Cubs on October 4, 2025, affirmed their status as NL contenders, a symphony of early offense and steady arms that masked the ache of Chourio’s hamstring scare. In a night of records and resolve, the 21-year-old’s three-hit brilliance gave way to vulnerability, reminding that playoffs demand not just talent but tenacity. As Milwaukee savors the lead, the true test lies in unity—rallying around their rising star, adapting to adversity, and chasing the fall classic with the ferocity that defines Cream City baseball. For now, the script favors the home team, but Chourio’s comeback will script the sequel.
With the NLDS hanging in the balance, this opener encapsulated the Brewers’ ethos: explosive yet enduring, youthful yet wise. Whatever the MRI reveals, Milwaukee marches on, their crimson caps tilted toward history’s horizon.