Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/20/25): Cubs 4, Brewers 3 – Shaw Homer Seals Series Win
The Brewers and Cubs met in the fourth matchup of their five game series at Wrigley Field on a chilly Wednesday night. Chicago went ahead early and survived a very tense 9th inning to pick up a series victory with a one-run win.
Starter Colin Rea walked the bases loaded with one out in the top of the 2nd, but Milwaukee only scored one run on a ground out by Blake Perkins. The North Siders found themselves in a similar position when rookie phenom Jacob Misiorowski issued three consecutive free passes to open up the bottom of the 3rd inning. The Cubs were more successful with their opportunity when Michael Busch hit a three-run double to put the home team ahead 3-1.
Rea pitched into the 6th inning before coming out with a runner on second and two outs. Brice Turang jumped on the first pitch from reliever Caleb Thielbar for an RBI single that cut the Brewers’ deficit to 3-2. Matt Shaw provided what turned out to be critical insurance when he hit a solo home run off of Jared Koenig that put Chicago in front 4-2 in the 8th.
Daniel Palencia came on for the save in the 9th inning, and it turned out to be a bit of an adventure. Pinch-hitter Danny Jansen had an RBI single as Milwaukee pulled within 4-3. Palencia then walked the next two hitters before William Contreras hit a line drive that Nico Hoerner snagged in between first and second base for the final out. (Box score)
Key Moment
Shaw worked an 11-pitch at bat against Misiorowski to draw a walk that loaded the bases right before Busch doubled. It was the most important sequence of the game for the Cubs’ struggling offense.
Why the Cubs Won
They took advantage of their one big scoring chance on the evening, and the pitching staff survived way too many walks to grab a close win.
Stats That Matter
- Rea had some big control problems but did well enough to get the win: 5.2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 3 K, 5 BB.
- Busch also singled in addition to his big double.
- Shaw made a spectacular defensive play on a dribbler to third to match his great effort at the plate.
Bottom Line
The Cubs had to battle, but that was an impressive victory against a very good team. This shows that Chicago can hang with the other top teams in the league. While the offense is still not where it was in the first half, it’s starting to trend in the right direction. A win in the final game of the series, and it will be safe to say the Cubs’ division chances are not dead.
On Deck
The series finale is Thursday afternoon at 1:20pm CT. Shōta Imanaga gets the nod against Quinn Priester in a contest airing on MLB Network and Marquee with a radio feed on 670 The Score.
