Brewers' Pat Murphy credits Wrigley Field environment after Cubs send NLDS to Game 5

Douglas Santo

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Brewers' Pat Murphy credits Wrigley Field environment after Cubs send NLDS to Game 5 image

The Chicago Cubs won Game's 3 and 4 at Wrigley Field of the National League Division Series to keep their playoff run alive and force a Game 5 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Home-field advantage is always important in the postseason, and that's certainly been the case in this series. The Brewers won the first two games in Milwaukee, and the series looked to be over.

However, the Cubs fired back with two home wins and have now forced a Game 5. Following Game 4, Brewers' manager Pat Murphy gave credit to the Wrigley Field environment.

Pat Murphy Credits Wrigley Field Environment

The Brewers and Cubs have a deep rivalry, so it's no surprise home field advantage has meant a lot in this series. Both teams have thrived at home off of their crowd support, and Murphy gave credit to Cubs fans after Thursday night's loss.

"I mean, it affected the game," Murphy said. "This crowd affected the game the last two games. It affected the way we played for sure. ... There will be no tougher environment to play in than they just did."

Wrigley Field was rocking all night long, and with Brewers' ace Freddy Peralta on the mound, the Cubs welcomed it all.

Cubs fans even started serenading Peralta by chanting, "Freddy, Freddy, Freddy," when the Cubs were at bat and with men on base.

"The crowd was incredible tonight," Counsell said. "I've never seen a baseball game like that. That was just amazing what they did tonight."

Counsell and Murphy gave their takes, and many of the players commented postgame on the environment's impact on the game.

Now, the series heads back to Milwaukee for the winner-take-all Game 5, and Brewers' fans will have their chance to make an impact on the game.

Game 5 of the NLDS will be on Saturday at 7:08 p.m. with a ticket to the NLCS on the line.

Douglas Santo

Douglas Santo is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. As a senior at Arizona State University, he will complete his B.A. in sports journalism with a minor in business in December 2025. Before his time with Sporting News, Douglas covered the NFL and MLB for Athlon Sports and contributed as a digital reporter for Arizona PBS/Cronkite News. He is also the head of Sun Devil Daily, managing all content produced about Arizona State Sports.