When Drew Pomeranz, left‑handed pitcher of the Chicago Cubs took the mound at American Family Field on Saturday, October 12, 2024, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The Cubs were fighting for survival in Game 5 of the National League Division SeriesMilwaukee, Wisconsin, while the Milwaukee Brewers were looking to clinch a ticket to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2018.
Background: How the Series Got Here
The NLDS had been a roller‑coaster. Chicago entered the series as a surprise wild‑card team, riding a late‑season surge that saw them clinch a postseason berth on the final day of the regular season. Milwaukee, on the other hand, had been a consistent second‑place finisher in the NL Central, buoyed by a potent offense and a deep bullpen. Both clubs had swapped managers a year earlier—Craig Counsell, manager of the Chicago Cubs had taken over the Cubs, while the Brewers were still led by interim skipper Mike Kelly, who was trying to steady a franchise that hadn’t seen a World Series appearance since 2018.
Against that backdrop, the series went back and forth. Chicago stole Game 1 with a late‑inning rally, Milwaukee answered in Game 2 with a dominant pitching performance, and the teams split the next two games. By the time Game 5 rolled around, the Cubs were down 2‑2, and the Brewers held a 2‑1 lead in the series.
Game‑by‑Game Recap: Every Run Was a home run
The opening home run came in the bottom of the first. William Contreras, the Brewers’ catcher, ripped a fastball over the left‑field wall to put Milwaukee on the board. The crowd erupted, and the buzz stayed high for the rest of the night.
Chicago answered quickly. In the second inning, Seiya Suzuki launched a solo shot to the opposite field, knotting the score at 1‑1. It was a textbook swing, and the Cubs fans finally got a taste of hope.
The fourth inning delivered the next decisive blow. Andrew Vaughn tucked a low drive past the right‑field fence, giving the Brewers a 2‑1 edge. The run felt inevitable after a few strong hits earlier in the inning.
All that remained was one more swing. In the seventh, Brice Turang stepped up and sent a towering ball into the upper deck, sealing a 3‑1 victory for Milwaukee. The final home run was as dramatic as any in postseason lore.
Neither bullpen allowed any additional scoring. The Brewers’ relievers combined for three scoreless innings after Contreras’ early blast, while the Cubs’ bullpen surrendered the two runs that proved enough to end Chicago’s hopes.
Pitching Strategies: The Bullpen‑Heavy Gambit
Both clubs entered the decisive game with a “bullpen” approach—a relatively new trend where teams start a reliever for an inning or two before handing the bulk of the workload to a traditional starter or another reliever. Chicago’s opener was Pomeranz, a veteran who hadn’t pitched in the majors from 2022‑24 but surprised everyone with a 2.17 ERA in 57 appearances during the regular season. He delivered three solid innings, keeping the Brewers to one run.
Milwaukee countered with Trevor Megill, their All‑Star closer, as the opener. Megill threw a clean inning, then handed the reins to bulk arm Colin Rea. Rea settled in, issuing just one walk and striking out five over two innings.
Beyond the starters, the Brewers’ bullpen was a revolving door of fresh arms: right‑hander Jacob Misiorowski, left‑hander Jared Koenig, and closing ace Abner Uribe all appeared, none of them allowing a run after the opening home run. The Cubs’ relief corps—featuring Daniel Palencia, Andrew Kittredge, and Brad Keller—couldn’t match that efficiency, giving up both the second and fourth‑inning runs that decided the game.
Reactions: Voices from the Field and the Dugout
After the final out, Craig Counsell (Cubs manager) praised his veteran’s effort: “Pomeranz caps his comeback year with a near‑perfect postseason. I surprised myself, too.” He added that the team would regroup in the offseason and look to add depth to the rotation.
Meanwhile, Brewers skipper Mike Kelly could barely hide his excitement: “We made history tonight. Our bullpen stepped up, and the offense delivered when it mattered most.” He also highlighted the significance of the win: the Brewers will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, a matchup that could finally bring a World Series title back to Milwaukee.
Fans on both sides took to social media. Cubs supporters expressed heartbreak but lauded Pomeranz’s resilience, while Brewers fans erupted with celebrations that spilled onto the streets of Milwaukee.
Implications: What This Means for the Rest of the Postseason
The Brewers’ advance marks their first NLCS appearance since 2018, when they fell to the Dodgers in a seven‑game thriller. This time, the club appears more balanced: a potent lineup featuring William Contreras, Brice Turang, and Andrew Vaughn is paired with a versatile bullpen that can shift roles on the fly.
For Chicago, the loss ends a surprisingly competitive season that began with doubts about the roster’s depth. The Cubs will now turn their attention to the offseason, where they’ll need to address pitching depth and add a left‑handed reliever, as indicated by General Manager Jed Hoyer in a post‑game interview.
Looking ahead, the NLCS against the Dodgers will test whether the Brewers can sustain their bullpen‑centric approach against a team that boasts a deep rotation anchored by Clayton Kershaw and a high‑octane offense featuring Mookie Betts. If the Brewers keep the momentum, a World Series berth could be just a few games away.
Historical Context: Brewers’ Quest for a Title
Milwaukee’s last World Series appearance came in 1982, when the Brewers fell to the St. Louis Cardinals. The 2018 NLCS run rekindled hope, but the loss to the Dodgers left a lingering feeling of “what‑if.” This 2024 squad, guided by a blend of home‑grown talent and savvy acquisitions, appears poised to rewrite that narrative. Their reliance on a flexible bullpen mirrors strategies employed by 2020 champion Los Angeles Dodgers, suggesting a broader league shift toward modular pitching.
Meanwhile, the Cubs’ 2024 season will be remembered for its resilience. After missing the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, the 2024 squad finally found its groove, largely thanks to veterans like Pomeranz and emerging stars such as Ian Happ. Though their journey ends here, the experience gained could serve as a springboard for the 2025 campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Brewers’ bullpen strategy differ from traditional pitching approaches?
Instead of relying on a single starter to pitch deep into the game, Milwaukee employed an opener (Trevor Megill) followed by bulk relievers like Colin Rea. This creates flexibility, allows match‑ups against specific hitters, and can preserve the arms of the rotation for later series.
What were the key moments that determined the outcome of Game 5?
All four runs were solo home runs—by William Contreras, Seiya Suzuki, Andrew Vaughn, and Brice Turang. The Brewers’ bullpen held the Cubs scoreless after the second inning, while Chicago’s relievers allowed the decisive runs in the fourth and seventh.
Who will the Brewers face in the NLCS and what challenges lie ahead?
Milwaukee will meet the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 14. The Dodgers bring a deep rotation and a potent lineup, so the Brewers must keep their bullpen sharp and capitalize on timely hitting to advance.
What does the loss mean for the Cubs moving forward?
The defeat ends Chicago’s 2024 run, but the experience gained—especially from veterans like Drew Pomeranz—sets a foundation for the offseason. Management is expected to pursue additional left‑handed relief options and reinforce the starting rotation.
When does the NLCS start and how can fans watch?
The National League Championship Series kicks off on Monday, October 14, 2024, with Game 1 televised nationally on Fox and available for streaming via the Fox Sports app.