UPDATE: The Milwaukee Brewers have surged to a commanding 7-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the Division Series, moving just one win away from the National League Championship Series. This decisive win took place on October 9, 2023, at home, giving the Brewers a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
In an electrifying performance, Andrew Vaughn and Jackson Chourio each launched a three-run homer, while William Contreras added a crucial solo shot to break a tie. With Game 3 set for Wednesday at Wrigley Field in Chicago, the Brewers are eyeing their first postseason series win since 2018.
The Brewers’ victory is significant as teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five postseason series have triumphed 80 out of 90 times, including a staggering 54 sweeps. This puts the Brewers in an advantageous position as they look to advance in the playoffs.
Contreras’ homer came in the third inning, snapping a 3-all tie after Seiya Suzuki had put the Cubs ahead early with a powerful 440-foot three-run homer. Starting pitcher Aaron Ashby, who typically served as a reliever, took the mound as an opener but faced challenges, yielding three runs in the first inning.
Following Ashby’s exit, the Brewers’ bullpen displayed dominance. Nick Mears, Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, Jared Koenig, Trevor Megill, and Abner Uribe combined for an impressive 7 1/3 innings of shutout relief, allowing just one hit. Misiorowski earned the win after throwing three scoreless innings, hitting at least 100 mph on 31 of his 57 pitches.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged the team’s missed opportunities, stating,
“We didn’t put enough pressure on them…two at-bats with runners in scoring position today. That’s a sign we’re not putting enough pressure on.”
This victory marks a historic moment for the Brewers, as Vaughn and Chourio hit the first two three-run homers in franchise postseason history. Chourio, back in the lineup after a hamstring issue, continued to make an impact, following a stellar performance in Game 1 where he became the first player to record three hits in the first two innings of a postseason game.
As the Brewers prepare to continue their playoff push at Wrigley Field, eyes will be on Milwaukee to see if they can complete the sweep and secure a much-awaited spot in the NLCS. The stakes are high, and fans are eager for what promises to be an intense Game 3 showdown.
