On Wednesday evening, the Chicago Cubs handed Cy Young candidate Jacob Misiorowski his most challenging performance of the year. However, their efforts fell short of securing a victory.
Chicago knocked Misiorowski out of the game after tagging the National League Cy Young frontrunner for five earned runs over four frames. Nonetheless, Milwaukee’s offense proved superior, securing a 9-5 triumph over their divisional foes in the third matchup of a four-game set that could foreshadow an October matchup.
This victory represented the exact type of resilient performance Milwaukee will probably require come October as they pursue their franchise’s first championship trophy.
Bregman and Cubs force an early exit for Misiorowski
Alex Bregman, who previously launched three home runs during Chicago’s historic nine-homer, 17-3 blowout in Sunday’s series opener, drove much of the offense against Misiorowski. He initiated the scoring for Chicago by launching a two-run homer in the opening frame, marking his fourth blast of this matchup.
He expanded his RBI count against Misiorowski in the second inning with a two-run single, providing the Cubs with a temporary 5-3 advantage.
When the fourth frame concluded, Chicago had hung five earned runs on Misiorowski via five hits and four free passes, as the Milwaukee ace uncharacteristically battled control issues against a dangerous Cubs batting order.
The Cubs also forced him to throw 92 pitches, ending his start after recording just 12 outs in what was the toughest performance of his otherwise stellar 2026 season. Misiorowski, whose ERA still sits at an impressive 1.97, had only failed to clear the fifth inning once prior this year. Furthermore, he had not conceded more than three earned runs in any single appearance before this matchup.
However, he managed to avoid taking the defeat. While Chicago’s hitters presented his sternest challenge of the year, his own offense responded with even greater damage against Cubs starting pitcher David Peterson.
Milwaukee offense supports Misiorowski
Peterson only managed to record 11 outs as Milwaukee’s lineup tagged him for seven hits and six runs, which included a solo shot off the bat of Jackson Chourio.
Yet it was situational offense that ultimately broke Peterson down, as a succession of a walk, a double, a sacrifice bunt, and consecutive singles across five straight plate appearances propelled Milwaukee to score three runs in the fourth. This rally gave Misiorowski a 6-5 lead, which remained secure when he departed the mound.
Milwaukee threatened to break the game open in the fifth by loading the bases against the Cubs’ relief squad. Nico Hoerner preserved the narrow margin with a spectacular diving catch with two outs in shallow left field, stopping the Brewers from expanding their slim one-run advantage.
Regardless, the Milwaukee offense had already established a decisive cushion. Their run total proved sufficient for the victory, rendering any additional late-inning insurance unnecessary.
Milwaukee must replicate these performances in October
Milwaukee has secured the top record in Major League Baseball largely on the back of a pitching rotation boasting the premier ERA in the National League. Even so, there will be playoff games against high-powered lineups like Chicago or Los Angeles where their own batters will have to lead the charge.
Following this victory, the Brewers took a 2-1 lead in the series at Chicago and boosted their league-leading record to 87-53. The outcome also dealt a severe blow to Chicago’s dwindling aspirations of overtaking Milwaukee for the NL Central crown.
With the defeat, the Cubs fell to 78-62, remaining securely in possession of a National League wild-card position, but now trailing the Brewers by nine games in the division with only 22 contests remaining on the schedule.
