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3 storylines to watch out for in the Brewers and Cubs NLDS matchup

There's no shortage of excitement and intrigue when it comes to this NLDS matchup
ByTyler Koerth|
May 2, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy gives Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell a hug before game at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
May 2, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy gives Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell a hug before game at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The League Division Series field is set, and the I-94 rivalry between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs is ready to take center stage in the baseball world. As these division foes prepare to square off, their deep familiarity with each other and dislike between fan bases adds extra intrigue to the matchup. Here are three key storylines to watch as the series unfolds.

3 storylines to watch out for in the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs NLDS matchup

1) Craig Counsell and others face their former team as the Brewers and Cubs square off in the postseason for the first time

Any postseason matchup between division rivals is bound to carry intensity, but this one comes with added drama as former Brewers manager Craig Counsell is set to face his old team in his first playoff run with the Cubs, and also the first postseason matchup between these franchises. Counsell has already received cold receptions in his return trips to Milwaukee, and that tension is only expected to grow with a trip to the NLCS on the line.

Adding to the intrigue, several former Brewers will be facing their old team in this series. Colin Rea, Drew Pomeranz, and Aaron Civale are all part of Craig Counsell’s pitching staff, while former Milwaukee first base coach Quintin Berry will also be in the mix on the Cubs’ staff.

2) Both the Brewers and Cubs have elite offenses

At the regular season’s end, the Brewers ranked third in MLB in runs scored, while the Cubs weren’t far behind at fifth. Milwaukee also finished second in stolen bases and fourth in walks, with Chicago close behind at third in steals and seventh in walks. Both teams clearly know how to generate traffic on the basepaths and will apply pressure by swiping a base.

That said, the Cubs hold a slight edge in slugging, an area often highlighted as a key factor in postseason success. Milwaukee counters with timely hitting and aggressive baserunning. The Brewers posted a .279 team batting average with runners in scoring position, the second-best mark in the league, and recorded an impressive 71 stolen bases with runners already in scoring position. That combination led to plenty of big innings for Milwaukee’s offense throughout the season.

3) Will key pitchers on either side be healthy enough for the NLDS?

Both the Brewers and Cubs enter the NLDS with questions surrounding the health of key pitchers. For Milwaukee, Brandon Woodruff is dealing with a moderate lat strain. While his availability remains doubtful, he hasn’t been officially ruled out. On the Cubs’ side, rookie sensation Cade Horton, who was outstanding after the All-Star break, will more than likely miss out on the NLDS roster, but there remains a small chance he could be included.

There’s a lot on the line in this postseason showdown between the Brewers and Cubs. Milwaukee is looking to capture its first playoff series win since 2018, while Chicago is aiming for a return to the NLCS for the first time since 2017. There are lots of layers to this matchup, but these three storylines will contribute to what will be one of the most compelling series of the postseason.

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