Happ, Boyd Power Cubs to 6-0 Shutout, Force NLDS Game 5

Read Time:2 Minute, 56 Second

CHICAGO, IL — With their season on the brink, the Chicago Cubs delivered a performance of dominant power and pitching on Thursday night, overwhelming the Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 at Wrigley Field to force a winner-take-all Game 5 in the National League Division Series.

The victory, Chicago’s second straight elimination-staving win on home turf, leveled the best-of-five series at two games apiece. The Cubs, who fell into an 0-2 hole following the first two contests in Milwaukee, now travel back to American Family Field on Saturday with a chance to complete the improbable comeback.

Early Thunder Sets the Tone

Unlike the previous game, which required a tight, late-inning hold, the Cubs wasted no time seizing control against Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. With Nico Hoerner and Kyle Tucker aboard in the bottom of the first inning, Ian Happ stepped to the plate and tattooed a 1-1 fastball deep into the right-field seats for a majestic three-run home run.

The blast—a pivotal moment for Happ, who had been dominated by Peralta throughout his career—sent the sellout crowd of 41,770 into a frenzy and gave the Cubs a 3-0 cushion they would never relinquish.

“The atmosphere was amazing tonight,” said Cubs starter Matthew Boyd. “We’ve got the best fans in baseball, and it was electric. We’ve been feeding off them since April, but tonight was another level, and that was super special.”

Boyd’s Brilliant Bounce-Back

The early offense was more than enough, thanks to the heroic effort of All-Star lefty Matthew Boyd. After lasting only two-thirds of an inning in the Game 1 loss, Boyd completely flipped the script, delivering a crucial 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

Working with a combination of sharp fastball location and off-speed deception, Boyd limited the Brewers’ potent offense to just two hits, striking out six while battling his way into the fifth.

When he exited with runners in scoring position in the fifth, Boyd was greeted with a deafening standing ovation. Reliever Daniel Palencia immediately slammed the door, retiring Jackson Chourio on a pop-up to shortstop to preserve the 3-0 lead and signal that this would be a different night for the Cubs’ pitching staff.

Power Surge and Immaculate Defense

While Boyd and a strong bullpen effort—Daniel Palencia, Drew Pomeranz, Brad Keller, and Caleb Thielbar combined for a three-hit shutout—kept the Brewers silent, the Cubs’ offense continued to pour it on with timely power:

Matt Shaw added an RBI single in the sixth to plate Carson Kelly, pushing the lead to 4-0.
Kyle Tucker crushed a solo shot to center field in the seventh, marking the first postseason home run by a Cubs Designated Hitter in franchise history.
Michael Busch, who has tormented the Brewers all series, capped the scoring with a solo home run in the eighth, his third of the NLDS.

Crucially, the Cubs’ defense, anchored by Nico Hoerner and Pete Crow-Armstrong, was flawless. Every throw and relay was crisp, cutting off any potential rally for a struggling Brewers lineup that was shut out for the first time this postseason. Brewers stars Christian Yelich, William Contreras, and Jackson Chourio were largely silent, managing only one combined hit.

The Cubs’ masterful effort, following Wednesday’s nerve-wracking 4-3 victory, ties the series and shifts the pressure entirely onto the Brewers for Saturday’s winner-take-all battle for a spot in the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.