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

[yourout]

21 minutes ago, BarremlensTSSC said:

I'm not sure I have a preference because I don't think any of the options are that great, but I honestly suspect it will be Miz.  

Hopefully we get a big strike zone.

[Jim French Stepstool]

2 hours ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

The other side of the coin on this game is that no one ever knows when these things turn around. When the Cubs went down 3-1 in 2016 and Chapman had to hang on for a nailbiter save in Game 5, I'm sure plenty of folks thought here we go again. Same when the Red Sox went down 3-0 in 2004. Not saying it'll happen to us. It might never turn around. But baseball life is long, and I feel like, for once, a win would be more exhilarating than a loss would be deflating. At least from where I sit.

I think there are a couple of keys for us, aside from putting up some early zeroes.

First is getting Hoerner out. That guy's had a great series, and something I haven't understood very well is why we keep pitching him with hard stuff away and soft stuff down when he's clearly trying to go the other way. Bust that guy in, especially if you get to two strikes. Have to make the adjustment there because him getting on base is so big for them.

During our ABs, we've so far done a poor job of balancing between patience and aggression. Game 1 we came out hacking. Games 3 and 4 we took a lot of pitches, probably too many. Game 2 we balanced this well, and that's what we need to do. Sure, make good swing choices, but we have to put good swings on pitches in the zone because Cubs pitchers are attacking. I hope we spend the off day on a lot of scouting and data review.

Chourio's injury has hurt our aggression on the basepaths. He's been the only one of our speedy guys to get on base regularly, and his running is obviously impacted. I'm not sure there's much we can do about that. The Cubs have good pickoff moves and have neutralized the running game pretty well. But the biggest issue is that Turang and Frelick haven't been able to get on base. If we don't slug, we need to steal.

How our lefties hit seems like the key factor in this one.  

Great point re Hoerner. Even during the regular season I didn't like the way we pitched him.

For two games now, they've been the aggressor on the mound while we seem to take 6 or 7 hitters to make the same determination. Early HRs play a part in that of course, but vs this team reacting by nibbling is never the right response. AFA the offense is concerned, the balance you mentioned is key. It doesn't take much for hitters to go into 'I have to get us out of this' mode & I think that's affected some of them. It can quickly turn Yelich, for example, from a dangerous hitter to a downright liability. Swing-decision wise, Collins hasn't looked like himself for awhile. I don't think Frelick has been horrible but a couple ball-strike calls have affected him, I think. And Turang, geez. I'd love for whoever has been wearing his uniform to give it back to the real Brice. 

Stringing together good ABs is always a challenge. But even in game two, the long balls came (twice) with 2 runners on, otherwise it's tight late. This 'woodpecker' thing isn't a constant, it needs to be re-committed to every day.

[FidoMcCokefiend]

It's wild that in a 5 game series we can only put out two starting pitchers and have to do 2 bullpen games. I get the game has changed and Woody's injury hurt, but that we don't even have 3 SPs we are comfortable starting is bananas. 

[totmachen]

Can we post about tickets in this thread?  A friend backed out of the extra tickets I purchased during the season ticket holder presale.  Section 210, row 2, seats 5-8.  They can not go on the secondary market or we lose our ability to buy presale tickets next year.  

[HarryDoyle]

Anyone know who the home plate umpire will be? It would be nice to know his tendencies in regard to the strike zone. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

1 hour ago, BarremlensTSSC said:

I get it on the notion of trying to juice the lineup but Bauers in LF has Kotsay in CF vibes.  Maybe he'd be fine, but it's a pretty big gamble based on his play out there late in the year.  I think you have roll with Blake in CF assuming that Yelich can't play LF, which certainly appears to be the conclusion the Brewers have reached.

Yeah. People are upset about not scoring like we did in the first two games--or even close to that--but to me falling behind early is at least as big of a problem if not bigger. Bauers can play a corner adequately, but there's something to be said for having him ready on the bench to be inserted in a key spot. If we don't figure out the 1st inning thing there might not BE a key spot. Frelick can play CF but not at the level of Perkins, so if he's playing there you're weakening yourself in CF AND RF. And I doubt Chourio in CF right now would be a good idea.

That said it wouldn't shock me if there's something different rolled out Saturday, good idea or not. But this whole thing gets magnified when you're down three right away. Put up a zero in the 1st, roll out the lineup from game one & two, and just breathe for crying out loud.

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

34 minutes ago, totmachen said:

Can we post about tickets in this thread?  A friend backed out of the extra tickets I purchased during the season ticket holder presale.  Section 210, row 2, seats 5-8.  They can not go on the secondary market or we lose our ability to buy presale tickets next year.  

I'm interested!!! I'll send you a DM

[MDCrew]

If we get through the 1st without giving up a run we will win. I would do 2 innings of Quintana, Mis, Priester, but pull any of them early if necessary. Then 3 innings of some combination of Patrick, Megill, Uribe. Like many others have stated though if we can’t score runs it doesn’t matter who we have throwing. 

[bm1090]

1 hour ago, totmachen said:

Can we post about tickets in this thread?  A friend backed out of the extra tickets I purchased during the season ticket holder presale.  Section 210, row 2, seats 5-8.  They can not go on the secondary market or we lose our ability to buy presale tickets next year.  

Sent you a DM

[Bulldogboy]

Just saw that Murphy says Yelich probably will not hit leadoff tomorrow. That's awesome but why did he do it in the first place then?? 🤔 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

4 minutes ago, Bulldogboy said:

Just saw that Murphy says Yelich probably will not hit leadoff tomorrow. That's awesome but why did he do it in the first place then?? 🤔 

Seriously. "Well, we really have to win this one, so, I'm going with the best lineup."

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

1 hour ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Great point re Hoerner. Even during the regular season I didn't like the way we pitched him.

For two games now, they've been the aggressor on the mound while we seem to take 6 or 7 hitters to make the same determination. Early HRs play a part in that of course, but vs this team reacting by nibbling is never the right response. AFA the offense is concerned, the balance you mentioned is key. It doesn't take much for hitters to go into 'I have to get us out of this' mode & I think that's affected some of them. It can quickly turn Yelich, for example, from a dangerous hitter to a downright liability. Swing-decision wise, Collins hasn't looked like himself for awhile. I don't think Frelick has been horrible but a couple ball-strike calls have affected him, I think. And Turang, geez. I'd love for whoever has been wearing his uniform to give it back to the real Brice. 

Stringing together good ABs is always a challenge. But even in game two, the long balls came (twice) with 2 runners on, otherwise it's tight late. This 'woodpecker' thing isn't a constant, it needs to be re-committed to every day.

Agree completely.

And great point on Frelick. He's had some calls go against him and hit some balls hard on the ground. Fine margins for him. Hopefully it turns the other way tomorrow.

[TURBO]

49 minutes ago, Bulldogboy said:

Just saw that Murphy says Yelich probably will not hit leadoff tomorrow. That's awesome but why did he do it in the first place then?? 🤔 

I don't believe him.

He is trying to throw off Counsell.

This is a cat and mouse game now.  Neither manager revealing who their starter is going to be either, when we all know damn well they know.

[adambr2]

12 minutes ago, TURBO said:

I don't believe him.

He is trying to throw off Counsell.

This is a cat and mouse game now.  Neither manager revealing who their starter is going to be either, when we all know damn well they know.

If there’s one thing Murphy is not, it’s dishonest. I just don’t see him saying that if he doesn’t mean it.

I just don’t know what Counsell could possibly gain from that small bit of information anyway. It’s not like whoever he starts won’t see Yelich in the 1st inning either way. 

[edfunderburk]

In my 56 years of following Brewers baseball, I’ve not wanted a win more than I do in this elimination matchup with the Cubs. 

I don’t believe we have enough starting pitching to win the World Series, but I can’t imagine the offseason if we lose this series to Chicago after being up two games in a season where we won the division handily & set a team record for wins in a season. 

Hopefully, we find a way to win this specific game & keep the Cubs quiet all offseason. 

Losing to Los Angeles wouldn’t be nearly as painful as blowing this series to Chicago. 

Am I alone in my perspective?

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

Anyone else looking to offload some tickets?.  Bummer to have missed out on the other ones available :(

[edfunderburk]

I can’t believe our season continuing depends on an up & down, talented but inconsistent rookie flame thrower. This seems to be managerial malpractice. 

[Bulldogboy]

5 minutes ago, edfunderburk said:

I can’t believe our season continuing depends on an up & down, talented but inconsistent rookie flame thrower. This seems to be managerial malpractice. 

Agree with this. The Myers left out for Gasser was and is a huge mistake given where we are. Woody injury was even worse than imagined 

[BrewerFan]

12 hours 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 think this is what I'd do. 

The Brewers are GOING to come out and hit the ball better. 

I just... may be inclined to give Quintana the ball to start the game. Let him face the lefties. Let him get a couple innings. He's got the approach that I think will work vs a Chicago team that's going to be pressing on the road.

Koenig, Ashby... I'd be fine with them in the 1st inning. 

 

I wonder if Gasser after that elbow injury may be dealing with arm fatigue though? Just... talking out loud here. Tobias Myers has been throwing pretty good. 

[young guns]

Ugh this game is everything about why I did not want to face the cubs.  I'm nervous about the potential loss than I am excited about a potential win.

As for starter, my vote is for Patrick.

[BrewerFan]

5 hours ago, yourout said:

Hopefully we get a big strike zone.

That's asking a LOT to start the game. I wouldn't tell the kid until tomorrow. He's young enough, I don't think the whole "routine" matters. 

I probably wouldn't pitch him in the first. 

The best case scenario would be to get a couple early(obviously)... and then just drill it into Misiorowski's head that his stuff is so good, as long as he's attacking and NOT letting his front fly open(which you don't need to be an MLB pitching coach to see happens when he gets excited)... he could get rolling and give you a repeat.

 

He could also just as easily walk 2 and then in an effort to NOT walk a 3rd, groove a FB to Tucker and they score early. 

It's the playoffs, so anyone can go, but... I probably would have not pitched Patrick last night when we were down because I wanted to see him in a potential Game 5. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

17 minutes ago, BrewerFan said:

I think this is what I'd do. 

The Brewers are GOING to come out and hit the ball better. 

I just... may be inclined to give Quintana the ball to start the game. Let him face the lefties. Let him get a couple innings. He's got the approach that I think will work vs a Chicago team that's going to be pressing on the road.

Koenig, Ashby... I'd be fine with them in the 1st inning. 

 

I wonder if Gasser after that elbow injury may be dealing with arm fatigue though? Just... talking out loud here. Tobias Myers has been throwing pretty good. 

99% sure Gasser has thrown his last game in 2025. If they advance I'd expect to see Myers added unless there's an unexpected bump in Woodruffs' recovery.

Wouldn't mind Ashby, but I would lean toward Quintana as well.

[Jim French Stepstool]

4 hours ago, Bulldogboy said:

Just saw that Murphy says Yelich probably will not hit leadoff tomorrow. That's awesome but why did he do it in the first place then?? 🤔 

He addressed it recently. I don't remember how he worded it, but it had to do with the idea of getting him the extra AB.

It works with Ohtani, but the bottom three spots in their order get on just a little more often than ours.

[brewmann04]

when was the last time the crew lost 3 in a row. I would not Mind Losing  but it hurts if its the cubs .

this would be the second worst since My Crew lost to STL in 1982

[yourout]

3 minutes ago, brewmann04 said:

when was the last time the crew lost 3 in a row. I would not Mind Losing  but it hurts if its the cubs .

this would be the second worst since My Crew lost to STL in 1982

We started the season with a losing streak so it seems fitting that we end it with one as well.