The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers, longtime NL Central foes, are set to collide in the 2025 National League Division Series, a matchup that's already buzzing with tension. Game 1 kicks off Saturday at American Family Field in Milwaukee, with the series unfolding as a best-of-five affair. The Cubs earned their spot by sweeping the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card round, while the Brewers, as division winners, await with home-field advantage for the first two games.
Indeed, this isn't just any playoff tilt—it's laced with personal stakes. Craig Counsell, the Cubs' manager who holds the record for most wins in Brewers history, returns to face his former team after jumping ship to Chicago on a blockbuster deal following the 2023 season. Fans in both cities are fired up; Milwaukee supporters see it as payback, while Wrigley Field faithful chant "Go Cubs Go" louder than ever. The schedule ramps up quickly: Game 2 on Sunday in Milwaukee, then shifting to Chicago for Games 3 and 4 if needed, with a potential Game 5 back north on October 9.
However, tickets are moving fast, a classic sign of this heated rivalry. Brewers tickets for the opener start around $150 on resale sites, but prices spike for premium seats overlooking the action. Cubs fans planning the trip to Milwaukee—or gearing up for later games at Wrigley—should act now, as demand surges with each passing hour. The Brewers' regular-season edge, clinching the division on September 21, gives them momentum, but Chicago's wild-card grit can't be overlooked. Counsell's tactical acumen will be tested against a Brewers squad hungry for their first series win since 2018.
Moreover, the broader Cubs playoff path looks daunting if they advance, potentially facing the Dodgers or Phillies next. For now, though, all eyes are on this intradivision battle that could redefine the Central's pecking order. One wonders how deep this renewed animosity will cut into the hearts of players and fans alike.