Milwaukee Brewers (27-19) at Chicago Cubs (29-19) | Wrigley Field | 6:40 PM CT / 7:40 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs (29–19 after losing 9–3 last night) host the Milwaukee Brewers (27–19, only 1.5 games back!) at Wrigley Field for Game 2. Shota Imanaga got DESTROYED last night (8 ER in 4.1 IP – WORST start of season!). Jake Bauers and Christian Yelich combined for 3 homers and 6 RBIs. Ben Brown (1-1, 1.60 ERA) starts against Jacob Misiorowski (3-2, 2.12 ERA, MLB-best 80 Ks!).
This is Game 2—can we bounce back from Imanaga’s nightmare and protect home field?
Last Night’s Nightmare: Brewers 9, Cubs 3
Last night was BRUTAL. Shota Imanaga had his WORST start of the season (8 ER in 4.1 IP!). The Brewers hit TWO homers off the right-field video board and dominated us 9-3 at Wrigley. This was a STATEMENT game from Milwaukee—they’re the three-time defending division champs and they reminded us why!
What Went Wrong:
- Shota Imanaga: 8 ER in 4.1 IP (4-4 record, WORST start!)
- Jake Bauers: 3-run HR, 4 RBIs, 9-game hitting streak
- Christian Yelich: 2 home runs
- Down 8-0 in the 5th inning
- Brewers cut our lead to 1.5 games!
We’re still in first place (29-19) but Milwaukee (27-19) is RIGHT ON OUR HEELS!
Cubs Season: 29-19, Lead Cut to 1.5 Games
Record: 29-19 (Ten Games Over .500, 1.5-Game Lead in NL Central)
We’re 29–19 and ten games over .500 after last night’s brutal 9–3 loss. Our NL Central lead was cut to 1.5 games after the Brewers’ domination. We’ve now lost 3 of our last 4 series (Rangers, Braves, White Sox) and are 1-1 vs the Brewers this season.
Key Stats:
- 52 home runs (6th in MLB)
- .248 batting average
- 29-19 record (1.5-game lead)
- 18-6 at Wrigley (lost last night!)
Ben Brown Tonight:
- 1-1, 1.60 ERA (ELITE stuff!)
- .861 WHIP, 34 strikeouts
- 2-0 vs Brewers (2 ER in 18 IP!)
- Facing Misiorowski (MLB-best 80 Ks!)
Ben Brown has DOMINATED the Brewers (2-0, 2 ER in 18 IP!). We need that again tonight!
Milwaukee Brewers: 27-19, Only 1.5 Games Back!
Record: 27-19 (Eight Games Over .500, 1.5 Games Back!)
The Brewers are 27–19 and only 1.5 GAMES BEHIND US after last night’s domination! They’re the three-time defending division champs and they showed last night they’re NOT going away! They’ve won 8 of 9 before Sunday and are SURGING!
Brewers After Last Night:
- Won 9–3 (DOMINATED us!)
- Jake Bauers: 4 RBIs, 3-run HR, 9-game hitting streak
- Christian Yelich: 2 homers
- Only 1.5 games behind us!
Jacob Misiorowski Tonight:
- 3-2, 2.12 ERA, 2.27 FIP
- MLB-BEST 80 strikeouts in 51 innings!
- Gets better every time he pitches
- Young stud (24 years old!)
Brewers Strengths:
- Three-time defending division champs
- Beat us 3-2 in 2025 NLDS
- 8 of 9 before Sunday (surging!)
- Playing with CONFIDENCE at Wrigley!
The Brewers are DANGEROUS and this series is HUGE for the division race!
Key Matchups at Wrigley Field
Ben Brown (1.60 ERA, 2-0 vs Brewers!) vs Jacob Misiorowski (2.12 ERA, 80 Ks!)
BATTLE OF ELITE YOUNG PITCHERS! Brown has DOMINATED Milwaukee (2 ER in 18 IP!). Misiorowski has MLB-BEST 80 Ks! PITCHER’S DUEL!
Cubs Offense vs Misiorowski’s 80 Ks
Misiorowski has the MOST strikeouts in MLB (80 in 51 IP!). We need to attack him early and avoid the Ks!
Bounce Back from Imanaga’s Nightmare
Imanaga gave up 8 runs last night. Ben Brown needs to shut them down and give our offense a chance!
Protect Home Field
We’re 18-6 at Wrigley but lost last night. Protect home field and extend the NL Central lead!
What the Cubs Need at Wrigley Field
Ben Brown Dominates Like He Has vs Brewers
Brown is 2-0 with only 2 ER in 18 IP against Milwaukee! Do it AGAIN and shut them down!
OFFENSE WAKES UP
We scored only 3 runs last night. Misiorowski is tough (80 Ks!) but we need to attack him early!
Protect the 1.5-Game Lead
29-19 vs 27-19. 1.5-game lead. Win tonight and push it back to 2.5 games!
Bounce Back from Last Night
Lost 9-3 in embarrassing fashion. Fresh start with Ben Brown on the mound!
Cubs Fan Prediction: We Bounce Back!
Final Score: Cubs 4, Brewers 2
Ben Brown DOMINATES—7 innings, 2 runs. Stays perfect vs the Brewers (3-0!)
Our offense breaks through against Misiorowski’s elite stuff! Michael Conforto drives in runs. Ian Happ contributes. We score 4!
The Brewers score 2 but Brown shuts them down. We BOUNCE BACK from last night!
Two-run win. We’re 30–19, ELEVEN GAMES OVER .500. 2.5-game lead in NL Central!
Why Game 2 Matters
We’re 29–19 after getting DOMINATED 9–3 last night. Imanaga had his WORST start of the season (8 ER!). Our NL Central lead was cut to 1.5 games! The Brewers are 27–19 and SURGING! This is the first meeting since the 2025 NLDS (they beat us 3-2!).
Win tonight and we’re 30–19 with a 2.5-game lead. Ben Brown has DOMINATED Milwaukee (2-0, 2 ER in 18 IP!). Bounce back from last night!
Can Brown stay perfect vs Milwaukee? Will our offense attack Misiorowski’s 80 Ks? Can we protect home field?
We went 78–84 last year. Going 30–19 and bouncing back from last night’s embarrassment would show resilience!
Go Cubs Go. Bounce back with Ben Brown and protect home field!