The tension is palpable as the Brewers and Cubs gear up for a pivotal Game 4 in the NLDS—every pitch matters, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Brewers' third baseman Caleb Durbin expressed confidence ahead of the game: “We came in with a solid game plan and everyone’s feeling positive. Our goal was to close out the series today, but we still have a couple more chances to finish it. Ideally, we want to do it tomorrow rather than pushing it to a Game 5, but for now, it’s about taking it one pitch at a time.”
Looking ahead, Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET / 7 CT, broadcast on TBS, TruTV, and HBO Max.
A striking statistic that often goes unnoticed is how rare it is for teams trailing 0-2 on the road in a Division Series to claw back. Of the 34 teams in the current 2-2-1 format to face this situation through the 2024 season, only 14 managed to force a Game 4. Even more revealing, just five of those teams (about 37%) extended it to a decisive Game 5, and a mere three (around 21%) completed the comeback by winning Game 5. This underscores how difficult the Cubs' situation is as they attempt to stay alive.
Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong offered a simple but determined perspective: “There’s still more baseball to be played.”
Game 4 will feature a rematch of the NLDS opener, with the Brewers sending right-hander Freddy Peralta to the mound and the Cubs countering with lefty Matthew Boyd. Both starters will benefit from normal rest, which could influence their performances.
Here’s what fans need to know about this crucial game:
When and Where to Watch
Game 4 is set to begin at 8:08 p.m. Central Time at the iconic Wrigley Field. Fans can catch the live broadcast on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max, covering the intense I-94 rivalry.
For viewers in the U.S., every series is streamed on MLB.TV, contingent upon authentication with a cooperating Pay TV provider. Internationally, games are also accessible live, except in Canada. There, Sportsnet holds exclusive English-language rights for all postseason games. French-speaking Canadian fans can follow the AL postseason and World Series on TVA Sports or the NL postseason on RDS.
Starting Pitchers Breakdown
The Cubs confirmed Matthew Boyd as their starter for Game 4. Boyd, a seasoned left-hander with a 14-8 record and a 3.21 ERA this season, expressed eagerness to take the mound again. He’ll be pitching on four days’ rest, aligning more with his normal schedule compared to his prior outing on just three days’ rest after the Wild Card Series.
Boyd's history at Wrigley Field is promising—he posted a stellar 12-1 record with a 2.51 ERA in 15 starts there this season. He earned All-Star honors, primarily thanks to a strong first half, where he maintained a 2.20 ERA over his first 20 starts. Despite his rocky start in Game 1 against the Brewers, where he only recorded two outs and allowed six runs (two earned), his home-field advantage and experience could prove valuable.
Lineups to Note
The Cubs have kept their lineup consistent in this series whenever facing a right-handed pitcher. Leading off is Michael Busch, who has spectacularly hit two leadoff home runs in this postseason, a first in MLB history for a single series.
Cubs lineup:
1. Michael Busch (1B)
2. Nico Hoerner (2B)
3. Kyle Tucker (DH)
4. Seiya Suzuki (RF)
5. Ian Happ (LF)
6. Carson Kelly (C)
7. Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF)
8. Dansby Swanson (SS)
9. Matt Shaw (3B)
Brewers lineup:
1. Christian Yelich (DH)
2. Jackson Chourio (LF)
3. William Contreras (C)
4. Brice Turang (2B)
5. Andrew Vaughn (1B)
6. Caleb Durbin (3B)
7. Sal Frelick (RF)
8. Blake Perkins (CF)
9. Joey Ortiz (SS)
Bullpen and Injury Updates
On the injury front, Kyle Tucker returned from a left calf strain but has remained in the designated hitter slot. While manager Counsell hasn’t ruled out Tucker returning to the outfield, there’s no rush given Suzuki's effective play in right field during the playoffs. Tucker is still regaining full strength with his running.
Right-handed pitcher Cade Horton, sidelined with a right rib fracture and currently on the 15-day injured list, threw off a mound recently and might progress to a heavier bullpen session soon. Despite being technically eligible to activate for a potential Game 5, Counsell has dismissed this possibility for now, indicating any return might wait until the NL Championship Series.
Who’s Performing Well?
Michael Busch has been a bright spot, hitting .300 with three home runs and an impressive 1.114 OPS in the postseason. His two leadoff homers in this series mark an unprecedented achievement.
Nico Hoerner is also shining, batting .391 (9-for-23) in the playoffs, building on a solid .333 average in September. However, Ian Happ (2-for-21) and Matt Shaw (0-for-12) have struggled at the plate this postseason.
For the Brewers, William Contreras has been consistent, reaching base in seven of his last eight postseason games and holding a .343 on-base percentage. Through this series, he's 5-for-12. On the flip side, Brice Turang and Sal Frelick have combined for just 4 hits in 23 at-bats, with Turang striking out six times to Frelick’s remarkable avoidance of strikeouts so far.
Additional Context Fans Should Know
The Cubs have been strong at Wrigley, holding a 3-1 record at home in this postseason, building on their impressive 50-29 regular season home record.
But here’s the part most people miss: Overcoming a 0-2 road deficit in this format is extremely rare, making the Cubs’ potential comeback even more compelling.
This raises some intriguing questions—are the Cubs defying the odds, or will the Brewers finally shut the door on the series? Does home-field advantage truly make this much of a difference in these high-pressure situations?
Feel free to share if you believe the Cubs can mount a historic comeback or if the Brewers will clinch the series. Where do you stand on the intensity of home-field advantage in postseason baseball? The comment section is open for all passionate takes!
