Chicago Cubs players celebrate their win against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. David Banks-Imagn Images

Cubs blast Brewers in series opener, extend NL Central lead

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 12:16 AM ET

The Chicago Cubs continue to prove they are the class of the National League Central. And on Tuesday, Chicago won a back and forth game over the team right behind it in the standings.

Now 6.5 games up on Milwaukee, the Cubs won, 5-3, to take the first game of a pivotal series.

Chicago used a big three-run fifth inning to pull ahead and then never looked back the rest of the game. Trailing 2-1 at that point, Seiya Suzuki became "Mr. Clutch" once again.

Suzuki connected on a three-run bomb to left field. It was his only hit of the night, but one of his most memorable of the season so far.

so you seiya want a lead-taking homer?#VoteCubs // https://t.co/hFFdpa6Utp pic.twitter.com/UJeICOv7gk
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 18, 2025

In his fourth MLB season, Suzuki is now only three home runs away from tying his single season best and is four from a new personal mark. He has 18 long balls through 69 games after hitting 21 in 132 last year and 20 in 138 in 2023. Suzuki has 61 RBI, also approaching a career best.

Milwaukee did score in the sixth to keep the game close, but the Cubs added one more with a second home run an inning later to stay in front for good.

With one more than Suzuki in 2025, Pete Crow-Armstrong blasted a solo shot off the scoreboard in the eighth for his 19th.

SAY IT WITH US, MVPETE. pic.twitter.com/RMMXX5t35d
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 18, 2025

Starter Ben Brown struck out five in five innings and four Chicago relievers backed him up enough to lock up the win. Brown got the win, moving his record to 4-5, and Daniel Palencia pitched the ninth for his seventh save.

So instead of the Brewers using the matchup to inch closer to first place, Chicago ends up ahead by an even wider margin.

Another win in either of the next two games left against Milwaukee this week instantly hands the Cubs (45-28) another series, while further making Milwaukee feel as if it missed a major opportunity.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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