Milwaukee jumped out to a dominant start, scoring six in the first inning as Jackson Chourio delivered a two-run single to cap the frame and Milwaukee cruised to a 9-3 win over Chicago in Game 1 of the NLDS. The Brewers piled 13 hits with no homers, leaning on scrappy contact and timely hits to pressure Counsell’s Cubs. Freddy Peralta worked 5 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts, tying a team playoff record, while Chourio left early with right hamstring tightness and an MRI looms.

The Cubs answered with three solo homers from Michael Busch, Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner, but Milwaukee answered early and often, extending the lead and riding a potent, run-suppressing approach that carried the regular season. The atmosphere in Milwaukee felt like a home game for the Brewers as crowd energy and in-game execution supported the surge, even as Chourio’s health became the focal point moving forward.

Chourio’s injury updates will dominate the narrative ahead of Game 2 Monday, with Pat Murphy calling the potential issue “could be devastating” before the ace rookie expressed optimism about his readiness. Milwaukee will lean on its depth and the same gritty approach as it heads into the rest of the series, while Chicago must regroup and reimagine its offense without relying on the long ball alone.

Brewers vs. Cubs in the NLDS centers on rest vs. grind. Matthew Boyd’s short rest start for Chicago invites risk while Milwaukee leans on a fast, defense-first lineup featuring Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, and William Contreras to spark early pressure. Blake Perkins adds elite defense and baserunning value; Sal Frelick provides speed up top. Freddy Peralta’s rest-accustomed ace status looms large as Chicago counters with a resourceful bullpen and a nimble infield led by Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson. Michael Busch fuels Cubs’ power, while a leadoff homer and timely defense shape the chase for fantasy relevance in multiple lineups.

Rotation decisions drive fantasy upside: Cubs’ Javier Assad is out of NLDS contention, pushing Boyd into an iffy role on short rest, while Milwaukee’s bullpen usage could tilt leverage and save chances. Chicago’s middle infield defense (Hoerner, Swanson, Crow-Armstrong) pairs with a ground-ball Brewers lineup, making plate discipline and batting order placement hot topics for daily formats. The broader playoff movements include Mariners’ Bryan Woo and Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette, framing the surrounding ALDS chatter around rest and bullpen depth.

Overall, expect a tactical game where rests, bullpen readiness, and strong defensive plays drive fantasy value more than raw power alone. The Brewers’ dynamic up-the-middle trio and Peralta’s readiness could tip timing in Milwaukee’s favor, while Chicago’s power and defense offer counter-punch threats as rotation and roster machinations unfold.

Milwaukee’s offense leans on plate discipline and speed rather than power, driving the league’s best record and a top ERA this season. The club scored 806 runs, the franchise’s best since 1999, while hitting just 166 homers. They excel at drawing walks, turning the basepaths into a weapon with 164 steals, and they stress swinging at strikes and playing small-ball to manufacture runs. In Game 1 of the NLDS, the Brewers bring a multi-faceted approach that looks to travel well in October against Chicago.

Key pieces include Frelick, Turang and Vaughn, who have raised their OPS this year, and Durbin and Collins among the rookies who helped fuel the surge. The staff and hitters pitch around power, pin down the strike zone, and rely on on-base ability to set up runs, a strategy that’s carried them from May slumps to a championship-aspirant finish. Despite playoff pasts heavy with ousters, Milwaukee believes its identity is postseason-ready.

Brewers push for home-field with Priester on the mound against the Reds as Milwaukee eyes October glory. Cincinnati seeks a last-ditch wild-card push, while Milwaukee manages workload with Peralta likely to start Sunday on limited pitches. Yelich leads off again, backed by Chourio, Turang, Contreras and Frelick, with Vaughn, Bauers, Monasterio and Ortiz filling the bottom. This clash shapes playoff leverage and fantasy upside as the season winds down.