Chicago Cubs Hold Off the Milwaukee Brewers To Force a Game 4

Just when you thought the Chicago Cubs were about to pack their bags for another long winter, they went and did something about it. The North Siders clawed their way to a nail-biting 4-3 victory over Milwaukee at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, forcing a Game 4 and giving their fans something to smile about for at least another day.

Michael Busch Makes History With His Hot Bat

Let’s start with the man of the hour – Michael Busch. This guy has been absolutely scorching hot since the Cubs decided to bat him leadoff. His first-inning blast didn’t just tie the game; it made him the first player in MLB postseason history to hit multiple leadoff home runs in the same series. That’s not just a fun fact – that’s the kind of clutch performance that legends are made of.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. After the Brewers took an early lead on what can only be described as the baseball gods playing a cruel joke (a popup that should’ve been routine turned into a bases-loaded single thanks to some wonky shadows and wind), Busch stepped up and reminded everyone why baseball is beautiful. Sometimes the ball finds the gap, sometimes it finds the seats.

The First Inning Fireworks Show

But Busch wasn’t done being the hero. After his solo shot tied things up, the Cubs’ offense decided to throw a party. Nico Hoerner singled, Kyle Tucker worked a walk, and suddenly, Wrigley Field was buzzing like a beehive someone just kicked over.

Then came Pete Crow-Armstrong with the bases loaded and two outs. The kid who’s been turning heads all season long delivered when it mattered most, roping a two-run single to right field that had the crowd absolutely losing their minds. The “P-C-A” chants were so loud that they probably heard them in Milwaukee.

Ian Happ even scored on a wild pitch to cap off the chaos, giving the Cubs a 4-1 lead after one inning. According to ESPN, the Cubs forced Brewers pitchers to throw 53 pitches in that first frame – the most by any team in the first inning of a playoff game since they started tracking that stuff in 1988. That’s how you set a tone.

Jameson Taillon Steps Up When It Matters Most

While the offense was putting on a show, Jameson Taillon was doing what veterans do – grinding through tough situations and giving his team a chance to win. The right-hander wasn’t perfect, but he was exactly what the Cubs needed: steady, reliable, and clutch when it counted.

Taillon wiggled out of trouble multiple times, including that messy first inning and a bases-loaded jam in the fourth. He is becoming the Cubs’ go-to guy in elimination games, and that is exactly the kind of pitcher you want when your season is on the line. The bullpen did its job after Taillon’s exit, holding the Brewers to just one more run over the final five innings. Sometimes winning ugly is still winning.

The Magic Of Wrigley Field In October

There is something special about playoff baseball at the “Friendly Confines.” Even when the wind and shadows tried to betray the Cubs early on, the ballpark eventually remembered whose side it’s supposed to be on. The fans were electric from the first pitch, and you could feel the desperation and hope mixing in that cool October air.

The “YMCA” celebration during the pitching change was so enthusiastic that it shook the press box. That’s the kind of energy that can carry a team, and the Cubs are going to need every ounce of it moving forward.

What’s Next For the Cubs?

Now comes the real test. The Cubs have bought themselves another game, but they’re still down 2-1 in this best-of-five series. Game 4 on Thursday night is another elimination game, another chance to extend their season or watch it end at home.

The momentum is nice, but momentum in baseball is funny. It can disappear faster than a hot dog at a tailgate. The Cubs had momentum after beating San Diego in the Wild Card round, then promptly lost the first two games to Milwaukee. Baseball has a way of humbling teams that get too comfortable.

But here’s what we know: this Cubs team has shown they can bounce back from adversity. They’ve got guys like Busch getting hot at the right time, veterans like Taillon rising to the occasion, and a home crowd that’s ready to will them to victory.