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 rode MLB’s best record (97 wins) to NLDS home-field advantage against Chicago, with Freddy Peralta and Quinn Priester set to start Games 1 and 2. William Contreras’ bruised hand is being managed, but he’s expected to play through the pain. With Quintana and Woodruff sidelined late, Milwaukee must lean on depth, health, and timely hitting to outlast the Cubs.

Contreras anchors Milwaukee’s lineup at a .260/.355/.399 clip with 17 homers and 76 RBI, and his presence behind the plate remains critical even if not at 100%. The Brewers’ path hinges on a sharp rotation, solid defense, and bullpen leverage to push for an NLCS return not seen since 2018. Game 1 kicks off Saturday at 1:08 p.m. ET.