A Cubs relief gem changed the NLDS Game 1 mood as Aaron Civale delivered 4 1/3 scoreless innings to steady Chicago’s lanky bullpen after an early Brewers onslaught. He faced Milwaukee’s lineup with calm attack, saving the arms for later as the Cubs mounted a mini-rally behind three homers from Busch, Happ and Hoerner. Peralta fought through early trouble, but Civale’s work kept Chicago in the series and highlighted the bullpen’s bounce-back potential.

The narrative intertwined Civale’s cross-team history with key performances from Brown on the mound and from Chicago’s offense, setting the stage for a tightly contested rest-of-series as both clubs readjust on off days and chase momentum.

Milwaukee jumped on Cubs starter Matthew Boyd in NLDS Game 1, scoring six runs in the first inning after he started on three days' rest, then adding three more in the second to roll past Chicago 9-3. Blake Perkins chased with an RBI single during the early rally as Nico Hoerner’s error opened the floodgates. Aaron Civale steadied Milwaukee’s bullpen after Mike Soroka’s short outing. Game 2 moves to Milwaukee on Monday as the Brewers take momentum and a hot offense into the series.

Milwaukee exploded for six runs in the bottom of the first off Matthew Boyd, turning Chicago’s leadoff homer into a one-sided NLDS opener. Hoerner’s miscue helped fuel four unearned runs as the Brewers surged ahead and never really let go.

The Cubs scratched back with solo shots from Ian Happ and Hoerner, but Jackson Chourio opened the early onslaught with three hits in two frames. Chicago bullpen pressure mounted after three straight playoff games, while Aaron Civale’s 4 1/3 scoreless innings offered a rare Cubs bright spot as Milwaukee cruised to a 9-3 win.

Milwaukee holds a firm edge heading into the off day, leveraging a relentless lineup and timely relief to seize control of the series.

Cam Schlittler grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts, in a Red Sox family, but blossomed with the Yankees after Northeastern. Drafted in 2022 (7th round), he broke into the majors in 2025, delivering a 2.96 ERA over 73 innings with 10.4 K/9 while tightening his walks late.

Schlittler’s ascent pairs with Ben Rice, another Massachusetts product, as the Yankees lean on New England talent to end their drought. His efficient mound approach fuels a postseason-ready rotation and highlights a pipeline that thrives beyond big-market spending, even against Boston and the rest of the league.