How Brewers and Cubs can each win decisive Game 5, plus lineups and analysis

Another day, different win-or-go-home Game 5 successful the 2025 MLB playoffs!

With the American League Division Series decided successful an epic finale, the National League Division Series betwixt the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers comes down to 1 past gathering contiguous astatine American Family Field.

The Brewers entered the bid arsenic the favourite -- and the NL's apical wide seed. But aft taking a commanding 2-0 lead, their NL Central rival Cubs evened the bid with 2 wins astatine Wrigley Field.

Now we're backmost successful Milwaukee -- with the victor moving connected to look the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL pennant.

We've got you covered with pregame lineups and the keys to Game 5, on with takeaways aft the last out.

Chicago Cubs astatine Milwaukee Brewers (8:08 p.m. ET connected TBS)

Series tied 2-2

Game 5 starters: TBD vs. TBD

Key to winning Game 5 for Chicago: The Cubs volition request to get immoderate magnitude from 1 of their pitchers. While it volition undoubtedly beryllium Johnny Wholestaff going for manager Craig Counsell, they'll astir apt request 1 pitcher to spell astatine slightest 3 innings oregon so. Shota Imanaga, who was atrocious successful Game 2 and struggled down the stretch? Colin Rea, who pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless alleviation successful that game? Game 3 starter Jameson Taillon, coming disconnected a 75-pitch outing? Aaron Civale, who pitched 4.1 scoreless innings successful mop-up work successful Game 1? This crippled shapes up arsenic an absorbing strategical conflict of alleviation decisions and pinch-hitters betwixt Counsell and Pat Murphy, with Murphy focusing connected his left-handed pitchers against Michael Busch, daring Counsell to pinch-hit, and Counsell trying to get his right-handed pitchers against Jackson Chourio, who is 7-for-15 successful the series. -- David Schoenfield

Key to winning Game 5 for Milwaukee: The Brewers person rightfully received a batch of recognition for their quality to people runs without relying arsenic overmuch connected homers arsenic different teams. But they'll astir apt request to deed much location runs than the Cubs to triumph this game. When the Brewers deed astatine slightest 1 location run, they're 70-36, including 1-1 successful this series. Yes, they scored 9 runs successful Game 1 without hitting a location run, but erstwhile they don't deed a location tally this season, they're 29-31. If Shota Imanaga pitches for the Cubs, either arsenic the...