Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs: Player Stats and Key Performances (June 17, 2025)

On June 17, 2025, the Chicago Cubs edged out the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 in a thrilling National League Central showdown at Wrigley Field. This game, part of the heated I-94 rivalry, showcased standout performances from Chicago’s Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong, while Milwaukee’s Isaac Collins provided a spark despite the loss. Below, we break down the key player stats, game highlights, and implications for both teams in the 2025 MLB season.

Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago Cubs Match Player Stats

• Sport: Baseball
• League: Major League Baseball (MLB)
• Division: National League (NL) Central
• Matchup: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs
• Date: June 17, 2025
• Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
• Game Duration: 2 hours, 26 minutes
• Rivalry: I-94 Rivalry
• Final Score: Chicago Cubs 5, Milwaukee Brewers 3
• Winner: Chicago Cubs

Game Overview

The Chicago Cubs (4-1 against the Brewers in 2025) strengthened their NL Central lead with a 5-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on June 17, 2025. The Cubs, powered by home runs from Suzuki and Crow-Armstrong, rallied in the fifth inning to overcome a 2-1 deficit. Milwaukee’s offense, led by Collins’ two-run homer, struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position, leaving six on base. The game, attended by 38,687 fans at Wrigley Field, highlighted Chicago’s offensive firepower and Milwaukee’s ongoing pitching challenges.

Key Player Stats: Chicago Cubs

Seiya Suzuki (RF)

• Batting: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R
• Notable Play: A three-run homer in the fifth inning off Chad Patrick, driving a sinker into the left-center bleachers to give the Cubs a 4-2 lead.
• Analysis: Suzuki’s 18th home run of the season was a game-changer, showcasing his clutch hitting. Tied for the team lead in homers, Suzuki’s .265 batting average and .462 slugging percentage make him a cornerstone of Chicago’s potent offense.

Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF)

• Batting: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R
• Notable Play: A solo home run in the eighth inning, his 19th of the season, extending the Cubs’ lead to 5-2.
• Analysis: Crow-Armstrong, a 23-year-old emerging star, continued his MVP-caliber season. His three homers in the May 2-4 series against Milwaukee underscored his breakout 2025 campaign, blending power, speed, and elite defense.

Kyle Tucker (LF)

• Batting: 3-for-4, 1 2B, 1 R
• Notable Play: A double in the fifth inning set up Suzuki’s go-ahead homer.
• Analysis: Tucker’s consistent hitting (.265 team-leading batting average) and ability to get on base (.341 OBP) fueled Chicago’s rally. His offensive dominance has been a key factor in the Cubs’ NL Central lead.

Ben Brown (P)

• Pitching: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, W (4-5)
• Analysis: Brown earned his first win since May 2, allowing a two-run homer to Collins but otherwise keeping Milwaukee’s offense in check. His 6.04 ERA reflects inconsistency, but this outing showed his potential as a rotation stabilizer.

Matt Shaw (3B)

• Batting: 1-for-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI
• Analysis: Shaw’s run-scoring double added insurance, highlighting his growing role in Chicago’s lineup. His versatility complements the Cubs’ dynamic offense.

Defensive Notes

• Dansby Swanson (SS): Key double play in the sixth inning to strand two Brewers runners.
• Analysis: The Cubs’ defense, anchored by Swanson and Crow-Armstrong, limited Milwaukee’s scoring chances, with no errors and clutch plays in critical moments.

Key Player Stats: Milwaukee Brewers

Isaac Collins (LF)

• Batting: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R
• Notable Play: A two-run homer in the third inning off Ben Brown, giving Milwaukee a 2-1 lead.
• Analysis: Collins provided Milwaukee’s only significant offense, while his diving catch on Michael Busch’s liner in the second inning showcased his defensive versatility. His emergence as a rookie adds depth to the Brewers’ outfield.

Christian Yelich (DH)

• Batting: 2-for-4
• Analysis: Yelich’s two hits were a bright spot, but he went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, emblematic of Milwaukee’s clutch struggles. His .315 batting average remains a team high, but power production has been limited.

Joey Ortiz (3B)

• Batting: 2-for-4, 1 RBI
• Analysis: Ortiz’s single in the seventh inning drove in a run, but he couldn’t spark a comeback. His steady hitting (.280 average) is a positive for Milwaukee’s lineup.

Chad Patrick (P)

• Pitching: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, L (3-7)
• Analysis: Patrick struggled in his seventh loss, allowing back-to-back homers to Suzuki and Crow-Armstrong. His 4.50 ERA reflects Milwaukee’s rotation woes, exacerbated by injuries to key pitchers like Brandon Woodruff and Aaron Ashby.

Defensive Notes

• Sal Frelick (RF): 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, but made a notable sliding catch in right field.
• Analysis: Milwaukee’s defense was solid but couldn’t overcome offensive and pitching shortcomings. The Brewers left six runners on base, including four in scoring position.

Team Stats Comparison

• Final Score: Cubs 5, Brewers 3
• Hits: Cubs 9, Brewers 8
• Home Runs: Cubs 2 (Suzuki, Crow-Armstrong), Brewers 1 (Collins)
• Runners Left on Base: Cubs 6, Brewers 6
• Errors: Cubs 0, Brewers 0
• Pitching: Cubs 9 K, 3 BB; Brewers 6 K, 2 BB
• Attendance: 38,687
• Time of Game: 2:26
• Weather: 91°F, partly cloudy, 5 MPH WSW wind

Game Highlights and Turning Points

1. Early Lead: Milwaukee took a 2-1 lead in the third inning on Collins’ two-run homer, capitalizing on a Brown fastball.
2. Cubs Rally: In the fifth, Ian Happ walked, Tucker doubled, and Suzuki’s three-run homer off Patrick flipped the score to 4-2.
3. Insurance Run: Crow-Armstrong’s eighth-inning homer extended the Cubs’ lead to 5-2, proving decisive.
4. Missed Opportunities: Milwaukee left runners in scoring position in the sixth and seventh innings, with Yelich and Rhys Hoskins failing to deliver.
5. Closing It Out: Cubs reliever D. Palencia earned his seventh save, stranding two Brewers in the ninth.

Why the Cubs Won

The Cubs’ victory stemmed from their timely power hitting and solid pitching. Suzuki’s three-run homer and Crow-Armstrong’s solo shot provided the offensive edge, while Brown’s five innings and the bullpen’s three scoreless frames shut down Milwaukee’s comeback attempts. Chicago’s ability to capitalize on Patrick’s mistakes and their error-free defense contrasted with the Brewers’ struggles in clutch situations. The Cubs’ 6.5-game lead in the NL Central reflects their dominance in this series.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

• Chicago Cubs: The Cubs (first in NL Central) continued their 10-game homestand, facing the Brewers again on June 19, 2025, with Jameson Taillon (7-3, 3.48 ERA) on the mound. Their .265 team batting average and .462 slugging percentage make them a playoff favorite.
• Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers (third in NL Central) aimed to rebound on June 19, 2025, with rookie Jacob Misiorowski (1-0, 0.00 ERA) making his second start. Injuries to pitchers like Brandon Woodruff (shoulder), Aaron Ashby (oblique), and Robert Gasser (elbow) continue to challenge their rotation.

Historical Context

The I-94 RivalryThe Brewers-Cubs rivalry, known as the I-94 Rivalry due to the 83-mile distance between Wrigley Field and American Family Field, has been intense since Milwaukee joined the NL Central in 1998. The Brewers lead the all-time series 160-139 since 2000, but the Cubs have won 8 of 13 meetings in 2025. The 2018 Game 163, where Milwaukee clinched the NL Central with a 3-1 win at Wrigley, remains a high point for the Brewers. Chicago’s recent dominance, fueled by acquisitions like Kyle Tucker and the development of Crow-Armstrong, has shifted momentum.

For more details, visit official box scores at ESPN or Baseball-Reference. Stay tuned for updates as the Cubs and Brewers continue their NL Central battle in the 2025 MLB season