Brewers-Cubs NLDS Game Five Thread - 10/11/2025 @ 7:08PM - For those Assuming a WIN!

[Fear The Chorizo]

I'm leaning towards giving Miz the ball and seeing what happens early tomorrow, for a couple reasons:

1 - If he's "on", he's the one arm with starting experience I have confidence in being able to keep the Cubs off the board in the 1st inning, and he'd have the best shot to give the Brewers any sort of length a couple times through the Cub batting order.  It will be a highwire act - but will have much more to do with whether or not he's throwing strikes/locating that slider compared to whether or not he's keeping the ball in the park.

2 - If he's "on", the Brewers can get creative with their starting lineup without too much concern about guys getting put in strange defensive positions, in order to try and maximize offense.  A high number of strikeouts and weak contact limit the damage that a less than GG caliber outfield is playing defense behind Miz if it means getting as many bats in the lineup as possible.  Prioritize getting a damn lead early at home, then as the game moves on bring guys like Ortiz and Perkins off the bench for defense while playing with the lead.  I wouldn't mind seeing Chourio as the DH and sticking Yelich (who at least isn't hobbled) in left - and Bauers in the other corner with Frelick in center.

Monasterio needs the start at short, find a way to get both Bauers and Vaughn in the lineup regardless of who the Cubs start (Imanaga's stuff should not prevent Bauers from starting, IMO), and stack the top of the order up in a way that doesn't stick hitters currently going through rough rally-killing slumps (looking at you Turang, Durbin, Ortiz) sandwiched between hitters that are reasonably dangerous.  

Chourio LF/DH

Yelich DH/LF

Contreras C

Vaughn 1B

Bauers RF

Durbin 3B

Frelick CF

Mona SS

Turang 2B

I have zero faith Murphy is going to view this game the same way I do, but this would be my ideal lineup to start Saturday.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

11 minutes ago, dlk9s said:

Bold prediction: Ortiz comes up with a huge hit. I haven't decided if it's going to be a bases-loaded single in the mid-innings or walk-off homer in the 9th.

I hope not because that would require him to be playing.

[MrTPlush]

20 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

Would you take a guaranteed win tomorrow if you knew it meant we’d get swept in the NLCS? I honestly think I would. 

I mean, yah, easily. You’d have to be sipping some serious Uecker Magic kool aid to have much confidence in them having a chance at beating the Dodgers anyway. I’d take an NLCS appearance all day. It isn’t even the whole Cubs/Greg factor…I think getting to the NLCS is a big deal for fan interest even if we lose it in the end.

If we lose…it’s pretty deflating. Not just another disappointing result, but I’d go into this is finally our downfall mode.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I'm surprised people are willing to take that trade off. The whole thing that makes it "entertainment" even if this isn't particularly enjoyable at the moment, is not knowing the outcome. Knowing that we for sure win tomorrow and then for sure get swept, removes that element completely. At that point you're watching a movie for which you already read the Wikipedia.

I'm also not buying at all that the Dodgers are some unbeatable team of Gods. That bullpen has been awfully susceptible at times this year. They were definitely a beat below what they've been in other seasons.

[adambr2]

22 minutes ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

Nah. That's giving up an awful lot even if our odds of winning tomorrow are like 10%. Plus there's nothing enjoyable about "guaranteed" wins.

I also don't think starting Uribe is nuts. He's exactly who I'd go with. I don't care who closes the game, I've seen how that movie ends with our "closer," I would just stick with the guy who pitched the 8th if it's somebody who can still throw.

It’s bigger that that, though. It’s changing the reputation of this team of perennial choke artists who can’t win a playoff series. Win a series, and at least there is some belief, some internal faith that we are moving in the right direction. Something to build on for the future, something to make us believe we can eventually get there.

Lose again? After being up 2-0 and blowing a big 9th inning lead last year? I can’t imagine anything more deflating for the franchise. You’ll honestly start losing fans, the “same old Brewers” sentiments will continue to prevail. If the Brewers lose tomorrow and win 110 games next season, would you have any reason to believe they’ll win a playoff series? 

Losing this series is demoralizing on an extreme level. Losing the next series is disappointing, but really not that big of a deal.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

3 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

It’s bigger that that, though. It’s changing the reputation of this team of perennial choke artists who can’t win a playoff series. Win a series, and at least there is some belief, some internal faith that we are moving in the right direction. Something to build on for the future, something to make us believe we can eventually get there.

Lose again? After being up 2-0 and blowing a big 9th inning lead last year? I can’t imagine anything more deflating for the franchise. You’ll honestly start losing fans, the “same old Brewers” sentiments will continue to prevail. If the Brewers lose tomorrow and win 110 games next season, would you have any reason to believe they’ll win a playoff series? 

Losing this series is demoralizing on an extreme level. Losing the next series is disappointing, but really not that big of a deal.

That's all fine but some genie lamp scenario where I have a guaranteed outcome doesn't help any of that. 

I guess there's nothing enjoyable and zero dopamine rush from watching a result I already know. It's just dumb to me. I wouldn't answer "yes" to any of those guaranteed outcomes. Like if you asked me if I sent the NFL $1 and it would guarantee the Packers a Super Bowl I'd say no because it removes all the elements that actually makes that fun to witness.

The bulk of what made the Bucks championship so cathartic was the number of times they looked dead and out.

[adambr2]

7 minutes ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

I'm surprised people are willing to take that trade off. The whole thing that makes it "entertainment" even if this isn't particularly enjoyable at the moment, is not knowing the outcome. Knowing that we for sure win tomorrow and then for sure get swept, removes that element completely. At that point you're watching a movie for which you already read the Wikipedia.

I'm also not buying at all that the Dodgers are some unbeatable team of Gods. That bullpen has been awfully susceptible at times this year. They were definitely a beat below what they've been in other seasons.

All true… but then I also guarantee that I don’t have to feel the way I’m 75% sure that I’m going to feel on Sunday morning.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

1 minute ago, adambr2 said:

All true… but then I also guarantee that I don’t have to feel the way I’m 75% sure that I’m going to feel on Sunday morning.

Just wait until the Packers lose to Joe Flacco twice in one year on different teams.

[adambr2]

Just now, OldSchoolSnapper said:

Just wait until the Packers lose to Joe Flacco twice in one year on different teams.

I think they will be fine. Flacco might not be alive by Sunday night behind that offensive line. That’s the whole reason they don’t have Burrow.

It will be a very small consolation, but a consolation.

[Ryno23]

41 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

Would you take a guaranteed win tomorrow if you knew it meant we’d get swept in the NLCS? I honestly think I would. 

Speaking from experience, in 2015 we beat the Cardinals in the NLDS only to get swept by the Mets in the NLCS. 2015 is still considered one of my favorite playoff experiences. 

[bm1090]

2 hours ago, Brewingwinners11 said:

Hi! Glad to post this here as would like to keep tickets off secondary markets. We are unable unfortunately to go to game five tomorrow. I have two tickets in the bleachers, section 202, row 10, seats 21 + 22. Would ideally love to get what I paid for them, which was 90 each when they went on sale. Please let me know if anyone’s interested, would really like to keep these off secondary markets and away from Cubs fans!

I’ll take them if available 

[kestrel79]

I think this game depends on the offense. We can't expect the pen to keep being so perfect (except for Gasser late last night) or close to perfect and need our bats to start doing what they do and get on base, steal, create havok on the basepaths, maybe get into one and put pressure on the other team. If we do that, I think we win.

[ErnieRilesBrianGiles]

13 minutes ago, bm1090 said:

I’ll take them if available 

Darn, you beat me to it. I'll take them next if they're still available.

[ErnieRilesBrianGiles]

3 hours ago, kestrel79 said:

I'm interested! PM me details

Would be interested as well, if they're still available.

[Bulldogboy]

I have hope the Brewers find a way to win tomorrow but we will know as soon as the lineup is posted. If he isn't put the best 9 out there then it doesn't matter. 

[owbc]

1 hour ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

My preferred order for starting pitchers:

1) Uribe. I know. People are going to think this is nuts. But the guy's probably got the best stuff, and he's thrown one inning all series. It's so important for us to put up a zero early. Let's see if he can get six outs. Megill can close. Priester can try to close. Mears, Koenig, we've got options.

2) Patrick. He's pitched well. He's comfortable starting. Run him out there. I'm a little worried about his usage, but it's Game 5, and he gives a good chance at a zero. Heck, a 1-run first would be progress.

3) Miz. Imagine the electricity if he's on his game. Whoa. 

4) Priester. Give the kid another shot. He'll be at home, eager to redeem himself.

5) Anyone else.

Not sure what Murph will do. But this will be a fun game. Let the better team win, and may it be us.

I'm sick of giving up early runs. I want to open with a fireballer. Two innings of Uribe would be great. 

Miz absolutely has to pitch. The kid has a great career ahead of him. Think about what he might accomplish in his career if he avoids injury and gets some experience under his belt. Then think about how we'll feel about this game 5 years from now if he doesn't pitch and we lose. I'd rather go down tomorrow knowing that we put our best arm out there. But I also don't want him to get too jacked up, which is why if I was Murphy I wouldn't even tell him if he is pitching or not, just to "be ready". Wait until the second inning to tell him he's pitching the third. 

 

[tmwiese55]

53 minutes ago, dlk9s said:

Bold prediction: Ortiz comes up with a huge hit. I haven't decided if it's going to be a bases-loaded single in the mid-innings or walk-off homer in the 9th.

I was so close on Wednesday to nailing a Monesterio game winner prediction I made when he got put in.  Was on deck when Bauers struck out with bases loaded

[StearnsFTW]

I fully expect a win tomorrow.

 

Home field matters and Iminaga stinks.

[torts]

16 minutes ago, StearnsFTW said:

I fully expect a win tomorrow.

 

Home field matters and Iminaga stinks.

I can't imagine them starting tailon over shota, right?  No way cubs do a BP game?

[bm1090]

1 hour ago, Underachiever said:

still available.

Dm'd you

[bm1090]

I think two things are really important for tomorrow. 

1. We need to get out of the first inning unscathed to get some momentum back. Preferably the first two innings. Gets the team feeling good and the crowd into it. 

2. We need some combo of 4 good innings from Mis and Patrick.

Because of the importance of number 1, I'd be 100% fine with starting Megill or Uribe. But I also think going with Chad to start is a great option. I could be convinced on Ashby too, but his last two appearances haven't been good.

[adambr2]

1 hour ago, Ryno23 said:

Speaking from experience, in 2015 we beat the Cardinals in the NLDS only to get swept by the Mets in the NLCS. 2015 is still considered one of my favorite playoff experiences. 

Right, and honestly, it probably helped change the culture and set the table for bigger things, even if it wasn’t that season.

[Recovering Chicagoan]

2 hours ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

Last year is also in the running. This would be worse, but you don't really get gut punches much worse than last year. At home of course, in Uecker's last game.

I agree. If the Brewers lose in the same fashion as last year, it'll be worse. But if they lose by several runs and are never really in the game, I don't think it'll be quite as bad. Which is why, if they're going to lose, I want them to lose by several runs.

[adambr2]

I don’t expect to get blown out tomorrow. 
 

No, the baseball Gods are not nearly that kind to us and would never put us out of our playoff misery against our archrivals in such a quick and humane way.

No no, it’ll be far more torturous. Perhaps we will enter the 9th with a 3 run lead only for Uribe to walk 3 straight on 12 pitches and then give up a salami on the 13th pitch. Perhaps we will be down one in the bottom of the 9th with the bases loaded and nobody out only to pop out 3 times with the meat of the order. Perhaps the Cubs will have the tying and lead runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2 out in the 9th and Turang will let a routine grounder through his legs or Ortiz will airmail a throw into the seats.

It is baseball, so there are an endless array of possibilities.

[Underachiever]

Tix sold. Thanks all