The Chicago Cubs aren’t going quietly.

After getting pushed around early in the series, Chicago finally punched back — and punched hard.

When this team is clicking, it feels like nothing can get in their way. That was the case at Wrigley Field on Thursday night, where the Cubs ducked every blow Milwaukee threw and landed some big shots of their own en route to a 6–0 win that evened the NLDS at two games apiece.

The victory sends the series back to Milwaukee for a winner-take-all Game 5, with momentum squarely in Chicago’s corner.

Happ Sets the Tone

Ian Happ wasted no time getting the Cubs on the board. 

His three-run home run off Brewers ace Freddy Peralta in the bottom of the first inning set the tone for the entire night and gave Chicago a quick 3–0 lead.

It was Happ’s second home run of this postseason and the third of his playoff career — but it feels like his most iconic moment as a Cub so far.

Happ helped the Cubs follow the blueprint perfectly. Get ahead early and lean on a deep bullpen to help you survive the late innings. If you get length from a starting pitcher, that’s gravy.

Boyd Bounces Back

Matthew Boyd delivered the rebound start the Cubs desperately needed. After a miserable Game 1 outing, the veteran left-hander looked sharp with a fresh arm — just as predicted.

Turns out only throwing 30 pitches in Game 1 before being pulled was a blessing in disguise. 

Boyd threw 4.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts on Thursday night, attacking the zone and keeping Milwaukee off balance. In the fifth inning, an ill-advised sacrifice bunt from the Brewers helped Boyd work through trouble with runners on. Daniel Palencia then entered to record the final out of the inning and preserve the shutout.

Adding Insurance Runs

Chicago continued to pad the lead and never relented. 

Rookie infielder Matt Shaw drove in a run with an RBI single in the sixth inning, and Kyle Tucker added a solo home run in the seventh — his first extra-base hit of the postseason.

Also in the seventh inning, catcher Carson Kelly nearly blew the game open with what appeared to be a two-run homer down the left-field line. It was initially ruled a home run on the field, and Kelly had already rounded the bases to an ovation from the Wrigley crowd. After review, the call was overturned and ruled foul.

Moments later, Kelly hit into a fielder’s choice that looked close at first base, but another replay review went Milwaukee’s way. Two tough breaks kept the Cubs from adding more insurance, and you could feel the air tighten inside Wrigley, even with a 4–0 lead.

Brad Keller opened the eighth inning with a leadoff walk and few erratic pitches that drew some nervous groans from the crowd, but he quickly settled in and shut down Milwaukee’s brief rally attempt.

Keller and the bullpen combined for 4.1 scoreless innings, closing the door on a crucial victory that keeps the Cubs’ postseason alive.

It wasn’t just a win — it was a response while up against the ropes. 

All Eyes on Game 5

It's another win or go home for the Cubs on Saturday night at American Family Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. CT.

The Cubs are expected to hand the ball to left-hander Shota Imanaga, while the Brewers will likely piece together a bullpen game led by rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski.

If Chicago wins, they’ll become just the first team to advance after trailing 0-2 in the Division Series since the 2017 Yankees. 

These Cubs have proven they’re not afraid to trade punches. One more clean hit on Saturday night could deliver the knockout blow to their division rival — and send Chicago to the NLCS.