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Milwaukee Brewers: Christian Yelich explains why the 2025 NLDS victory over Cubs meant more

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Oct 12, 2025 9:45 AM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers, for the first time since 2018, have advanced to the National League Championship Series after defeating the Chicago Cubs in the deciding Game Five of the National League Divisional Series. The series win was Milwaukee’s first since that 2018 season, even though they have made the MLB Postseason in six times in the seven years following.

Indeed, the Brewers’ long run without a postseason series victory had become incredibly frustrating for the players and fans, especially after last year’s team blew a ninth inning lead to lose the deciding game to the New York Mets in the wild card round.

But the streak is now over and Milwaukee has the postseason monkey off of its back. And while that is all well and good, this particular series victory seemed to mean more to both fans and players, and star outfielder Christian Yelich knows why.

Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich explains why NLDS win means more

Milwaukee Brewers: Christian Yelich explains why the 2025 NLDS victory over Cubs meant more 1 May 5, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich (22) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Houston Astros at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Going into the series, Brewers fans obviously wanted to see their team win. However, their desire to see Milwaukee emerge victorious was exponentially increased by the fact that their opponent was the Cubs and former manager Craig Counsell.

And this fact was not lost on Yelich, who said,

“This was more than the usual Division Series. Everyone wants to point to past postseasons, but the majority of these guys weren’t even here for that. So you try to downplay it going into this series against the Cubs and call it any other Division Series, you say you just want to advance.

“But the rivalry between these two teams — I feel like it’s been our two teams going at it the last eight years. All of the storylines there. We just really wanted to perform for our city and this organization and our fanbase. We knew it meant a little bit extra.”

The fact of the matter is that the Cubs-Brewers rivalry may just be the best in Major League Baseball right now, and the fact that Counsell ditched Milwaukee for Chicago is a big factor in the high level of disdain Brewers fans have for the Cubs.

And, for the this year at least, Milwaukee has the upper hand after sending their former manager and division rival home.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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