The Chicago Cubs are sticking with what works but made one small, and possibly crucial, change heading into their National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Right-hander Ben Brown was added to the roster, replacing lefty reliever Taylor Rogers. It’s a move that gives manager Craig Counsell another trusted arm against a lineup he knows better than most.
“There’s a lot more knowledge,” Counsell said during Friday’s workout at American Family Field. “We’ve seen each other plenty. The players and the managers know each other really well.”
Brown has been sharp against Milwaukee, allowing just two earned runs in 18 career innings while striking out 19. That kind of track record makes him a natural fit for this series. Rookie Cade Horton remains out with a rib injury and won’t be activated during the NLDS.
Cubs pitching plan
The Cubs are rolling with 14 position players and 12 pitchers for the series. With three off-days built into the NLDS schedule, they may only need three starters: Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon. Colin Rea could also step in if needed.
Counsell’s bullpen has been a strength recently, locking things down late in the Wild Card win over the Padres. With Brown joining a group that includes Aaron Civale, Andrew Kittredge, and Drew Pomeranz, Chicago looks well-stocked to handle high-leverage innings.
Cubs roster overview
Catchers: Carson Kelly, Reese McGuire
Infielders: Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Matt Shaw
DH: Moisés Ballesteros
Outfielders: Kevin Alcántara, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Kyle Tucker
Utility: Willi Castro, Justin Turner
Starters: Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Colin Rea, Jameson Taillon
Relievers: Ben Brown, Aaron Civale, Brad Keller, Andrew Kittredge, Daniel Palencia, Drew Pomeranz, Michael Soroka, Caleb Thielbar
NLDS Game 1: a familiar matchup
Game 1 begins today at 2 p.m. ET on TBS, with Matthew Boyd facing Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta. The Brewers were cruising for most of the summer, but since their 14-game win streak ended on August 16, they’ve been under .500. The Cubs, meanwhile, come in battle-tested after a gritty Wild Card series win.
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Chicago will look for big swings from Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch, while hoping Kyle Tucker’s calf issue doesn’t slow him down. For the Brewers, it all comes down to Peralta. If he pitches like he did in August (4-0, 0.32 ERA), Milwaukee could regain its spark quickly. But a Game 1 loss could shift all the momentum to the North Side.
This rivalry is familiar, fierce, and full of history, and with Brown now in the mix, the Cubs might have just given themselves an edge where it counts most.
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