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Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio doubles against the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the NLDS. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Top storylines to watch in Brewers-Cubs series

By Taylor Bretl | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 3:49 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs faced off in October for their first time on Saturday after 456 regular-season matchups. In Game 1, Milwaukee dominated, winning 9-3.

Here are the top storylines ahead of Game 2 on Monday (9:08 ET, TBS and TruTV).

Freddy Peralta makes history — twice

Peralta is hot, which bodes well for the Brewers for the postseason. In Game 1, the right-hander delivered a historic outing, tying Hall of Famer Don Sutton, Yovani Gallardo and Brandon Woodruff for the most strikeouts in a postseason game by a Brewers pitcher (nine).

Peralta also became the first pitcher to strike out five or more and allow five or fewer baserunners in each of his first three career playoff starts. According to Stats Perform, no other pitcher has begun his postseason career with such a streak.

Jackson Chourio's injury status

The Milwaukee center fielder had a stellar Game 1, becoming the first player in MLB history to record three hits within the first two innings of a postseason game. His third hit came on a hustle play, beating out a throw from Cubs infielder Matt Shaw. The effort came at a cost — Chourio pulled his hamstring while legging out the infield single and exited the game.

The injury was to the same hamstring that sidelined him for 29 games earlier this season, raising concerns about his availability for the remainder of the series.

Pat Murphy says the MRI results came back “inconclusive” for Jackson Chourio’s hamstring, but it’s not a serious strain.

However, Murphy says it could still limit him and he’ll go through some testing today during the workout pic.twitter.com/aVrd5UqD9O
— Hunter Baumgardt (@hunterbonair) October 5, 2025

Shota Imanaga looks to anchor Cubs arms

The Cubs’ pitching staff enters Game 2 under strain. No Chicago starter has lasted more than 4 1/3 innings this postseason, and Game 1 revealed more worrisome signs for Chicago.

Manager Craig Counsell turned to ace Matthew Boyd, who had already pitched in Game 1 of the NL wild-card round and warmed up in Game 3. On Saturday, Boyd surrendered six runs (two earned) on four hits in just 2/3 of an inning. He was followed by Mike Soroka, Aaron Civale and Ben Brown, forcing the Cubs to burn through four pitchers in a sizable loss.

Shota Imanaga is set to start Game 2 for Chicago. He pitched four innings in the NL wild-card round, allowing two runs on three hits and throwing 67 pitches. The relatively light workload could benefit Imanaga, giving him a fresher start than most pitcher on short rest.

Aaron Ashby to open for Milwaukee

Milwaukee will counter with Ashby as an opener in Game 2. Ashby impressed in Game 1, throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings without allowing a hit or walk and striking out one over 18 pitches.

The decision for his open appears strategic, aimed at neutralizing the Cubs’ left-handed hitters at the top of the lineup (Michael Busch and Kyle Tucker).

The Brewers have yet to announce who will follow Ashby, but Quinn Priester and José Quintana are the leading candidates to pitch.

With both teams facing roster challenges, Game 2 could prove pivotal in shaping the rest of the series.

Taylor Bretl

Taylor Bretl writes about Major League Baseball with a focus on the Milwaukee Brewers. He is founder of Around the Globe Baseball.

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