The important role that Brewers fans play in getting their team to the NLCS

The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs' NLDS series is going the distance, with a decisive Game 5 being played tonight at American Family Field. In the series, home teams remain undefeated, with the energy of the home crowd having a major influence on each game.

In the first two games, Milwaukee’s home crowd showered manager Craig Counsell with boos while creating an electric atmosphere that energized the Brewers to back-to-back emphatic wins. In response, the Chicago fan base matched that intensity on Wednesday and Thursday night, bringing a playoff-level environment of their own to this I-94 rivalry.

Notably, Cubs fans broke out into chants of 'Freddy... Freddy... Freddy...' with the Brewers' ace on the mound, an uncommon tactic that underscored just how invested and intense the atmosphere has become. While Chicago’s approach was a bit unconventional, both managers have credited the home crowds for influencing the game, noting that the energy can spark emotional reactions and push players to either elevate their play or overthink under pressure.

As such, Brewers fans will play a crucial role in Saturday night’s Game 5, as Milwaukee aims to advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2018, and manager Pat Murphy is calling on the crowd to help fuel the push.

Milwaukee Brewers fans will play an important role in the team's Game 5 NLDS outcome

As reported by Adam McCalvy at MLB.com, from a Pat Murphy media session on the off day, with many players experiencing their first road playoff games, dropping two on the road isn’t cause for panic; it’s part of the learning curve, and playing in a tough environment is a part of that. McCalvy made the following post on the social media platform X detailing Murphy's ask of Brewers fans during the team's win-or-go-home matchup this evening.

The team has shown it can rise to the occasion at American Family Field, and with a chance to punch their ticket to the NLCS for the first time since 2018, they’ll need the full support of the home crowd, much like they provided during the first two games. Now more than ever, Brewers fans have a chance to make a real impact by getting behind this team and helping push them over the finish line in Game 5.