Introduction to NLDS Game 1
The Chicago Cubs lost Game 1 of the NLDS to the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday afternoon at American Family Field by a score of 9-3.
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Game Highlights
Jackson Chourio went 3 for 3 and drove in three runs in the first two innings before departing with a hamstring injury. Chourio became the first player to have three hits in the first two innings of a playoff game. But his availability for Monday’s Game 2 in the best-of-five series is unclear.
Injury Concerns
Chourio, who missed a month of the regular season with a strained right hamstring, left with tightness in that hamstring after beating out a bases-loaded infield single. That’s just about the only thing that went wrong for the Brewers, who grabbed a 9-1 lead in the first two innings in a matchup of NL Central rivals.
Pitching Performance
Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta worked 5 2/3 innings, and the only runs he allowed came on homers from Michael Busch and Ian Happ. Nico Hoerner added a solo shot off Jared Koenig in the eighth inning. Peralta’s nine strikeouts tied Don Sutton, Yovani Gallardo and Brandon Woodruff for the Brewers’ single-game playoff record.
Crowd Reaction
Brewers-Cubs games in Milwaukee generally have divided crowds because of all the people who make the 90-mile trip from Chicago, but that wasn’t the case Saturday. The vast majority of spectators were Brewers fans waving yellow towels and booing Cubs manager Craig Counsell. Counsell grew up in the Milwaukee area and is the winningest manager in Brewers history, but he left for Chicago after the 2023 season. He has been jeered whenever his name has been mentioned over the American Family Field loudspeaker since he departed.
Coaching Decisions
Counsell’s decision to start Matthew Boyd on short rest didn’t work out. The All-Star left-hander was lifted with two out in the first. The Brewers scored four runs or fewer in their last nine regular-season games. They had gone 2-11 in their last 13 playoff games, scoring over four runs in just one of those contests and failing to exceed five runs in any of them.
Game Turning Points
After Busch opened the game with a 389-foot drive over the wall in right-center, Chourio, Brice Turang and William Contreras started the bottom half of the first with consecutive doubles. Contreras scored from second when Hoerner mishandled a slow grounder from Sal Frelick. Blake Perkins capped an 11-pitch at bat with a two-out RBI single to center. Michael Soroka walked Joey Ortiz to load the bases and allowed a two-run single to Chourio.
Relief Pitching
Boyd had only three days of rest after throwing 58 pitches in the Cubs’ 3-1 Wild Card Series Game 1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Milwaukee added three more runs in the second. Caleb Durbin delivered a two-run single before Chourio’s infield hit made it 9-1. Chicago’s Aaron Civale, who started the season with Milwaukee, and Ben Brown combined for 6 1/3 innings of shutout relief.
Conclusion
The Cubs’ loss in Game 1 of the NLDS sets them back in the series, and they will need to regroup and adjust their strategy to take on the Brewers in Game 2. The injury to Jackson Chourio is a significant concern for the Brewers, and his availability for the rest of the series is uncertain.
FAQs
Q: What was the final score of Game 1 of the NLDS between the Cubs and Brewers?
A: The final score was 9-3 in favor of the Brewers.
Q: Who drove in three runs for the Brewers in the first two innings?
A: Jackson Chourio drove in three runs for the Brewers in the first two innings.
Q: What is the status of Jackson Chourio’s availability for Game 2?
A: Jackson Chourio’s availability for Game 2 is unclear due to a hamstring injury.
Q: Who started for the Cubs on short rest and was lifted with two out in the first?
A: Matthew Boyd started for the Cubs on short rest and was lifted with two out in the first.
