CHICAGO — The lights were brighter, the stakes were higher, and the pressure was suffocating. Down 2-0 in the National League Division Series and facing elimination for the second time this postseason, the Chicago Cubs delivered a dramatic, must-win 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. Thanks to a historic leadoff home run and clutch performances from the bullpen, Chicago avoided a sweep and forced a Game 4 in a showdown that will define their playoff legacy.
The homestand crowd of 41,000 roared to life when Michael Busch launched a leadoff homer — his second straight opener blast in the series — sending a message that the Cubs were not going quietly. Busch, whose tremendous power carried Chicago’s offense all season, became the first player in MLB history to belt multiple leadoff home runs in the same postseason series.
But Busch’s heroics didn’t end there. With Pete Crow-Armstrong’s two-run single and a wild pitch that brought home Ian Happ, the Cubs exploded for four runs in the first inning — the perfect answer after Milwaukee scored first on an errant infield popup and a sacrifice fly.
The Brewers refused to go away quietly. Jake Bauers cut the deficit with a two-out RBI single in the fourth and a leadoff homer in the seventh, bringing Milwaukee within one swing of force-feeding the Cubs another devastating elimination scenario.
But Chicago’s pitchers denied every charge. Jameson Taillon escaped early trouble and pitched four strong innings, while the bullpen—anchored by Brad Keller and David Bednar—held steady under duress. Keller’s eighth-inning strikeout with the bases loaded was the defining moment of the series for Chicago, preserving the lead and shifting momentum back into their hands.
Chicago’s resilience was perfectly summed up by head coach Craig Counsell, who reminded his team before the game: “Win the moment — then move on.” They did just that. Despite trailing 2-0 and watching frustration mount, the Cubs found a way to grind, fight, and escape with hope intact.
Busch’s performance—a .300 postseason average with three homers—and Crow-Armstrong’s clutch hit are poised to become defining moments in franchise lore. And with Game 4 looming Thursday night, Chicago proves it hasn’t given up its dream of returning to the National League Championship Series.
Because sometimes, under the pressure of October and the weight of elimination, ecstasy comes not from blowing out your opponent, but from surviving their best shot.
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