The Cubs and Brewers take the field in Milwaukee tonight for Game 5 of their National League Division series with the winner earning the right to play for the National League pennant against the Dodgers. Neither manager has released information as to who will start the pivotal Game 5 but lets review options and take an educated guess for each side.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 04: Matthew Boyd #16 of the Chicago Cubs exits the game during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game one of the Division Series at American Family Field on October 04, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Application error: a client-side exception has occurred (see the browser console for more information).

The reality confronting each team is that just two teams have ever come back from down 0-2 in the NLDS to win the series. The first was the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981 (the labor stoppage led to a one-off playoff format that year),

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio returned to the lineup and hit a three-run homer in Game 2 of an NL Division Series against the Chicago Cubs on Monday night after tightness in his right hamstring caused him to exit the series opener.

The Milwaukee Brewers, thanks to a huge bullpen game led by rookie Jacob Misiorowski, are just a win away from their first trip to the NLCS in seven years.