Introduction
If you love baseball, few matchups hit differently than Brewers vs Cubs. There is something raw and electric about two Midwest neighbors fighting for the same division crown. The ivy at Wrigley Field, the roar at American Family Field, the rabid fanbases that travel hours just to get into the opposing stadium — this rivalry has it all.
In 2025, these two teams played 13 regular season games, met again in the NLDS, and gave baseball fans one of the most dramatic playoff series in recent memory. Now in 2026, they are back at it. The Cubs sit atop the NL Central. The Brewers are right on their heels. The first series of the season just kicked off at Wrigley Field on May 18.
This article covers everything you need to know — the history, the head-to-head numbers, the key players, the 2026 storylines, and what makes this rivalry so special. Whether you bleed blue or you are a die-hard Crew fan, you will find something here that gets your blood pumping.
A Rivalry Built on Geography, Competition, and Pure Grudges
How the Brewers vs Cubs Rivalry Began
The rivalry officially started on June 13, 1997, when the Brewers joined the National League. That first meeting was at Wrigley Field, and Milwaukee walked away with a 6-4 win. It set the tone for a rivalry that has only grown more intense with time.
The two teams are just 90 miles apart. Chicago and Milwaukee are practically neighbors. That proximity creates a unique tension. Cubs fans flood American Family Field on road trips. Brewers fans make the trip south to Wrigley. In some games, the crowd feels split almost 50-50. The Brewers have even tried to restrict Cubs fans from buying tickets — that is how real the competitive heat is.
Through 456 all-time meetings, the Brewers hold a slim edge at 233-228. That is as close as it gets. Neither team has been able to pull away, and that keeps the rivalry burning.
The 2018 Game 163 Moment
One game stands out above almost all others. In 2018, the Cubs and Brewers finished the regular season tied for the NL Central crown. That forced a winner-take-all Game 163 at Wrigley Field. Milwaukee won 3-1 and claimed the division title on the Cubs’ home turf.
That game still stings for Cubs fans. For Brewers fans, it is a badge of honor. It proved this is not a one-sided rivalry. Both teams can hurt each other deeply when the stakes are highest.
Craig Counsell’s Stunning Move to the Other Side
Nothing poured more fuel on the fire than Craig Counsell leaving Milwaukee in 2023 to manage the Chicago Cubs. Counsell had been one of the most beloved managers in Brewers history. He led Milwaukee to multiple playoff appearances. Then he left for the Cubs in a massive deal.
Brewers fans were furious. Cubs fans were thrilled. Counsell himself admitted he probably underestimated how much fans on both sides would react to the move. It added a deeply personal edge to every Brewers vs Cubs game moving forward. When Counsell walks out of the Cubs dugout at American Family Field, the boos are loud and long.
The 2025 Season: A Year That Defined the Rivalry
Regular Season: Cubs Win the Series, Barely
In the 2025 regular season, the Cubs and Brewers played 13 games against each other. Chicago won the season series 7-6. They outscored Milwaukee 60-56 across those games. Nearly every matchup was tight. There were blowouts in both directions, but the series never felt lopsided in overall quality.
Some of the standout moments from 2025 include:
- May 2: Cubs 10, Brewers 0. Chicago set the tone early with Ben Brown throwing six shutout innings.
- July 29: Brewers 9, Cubs 3. Milwaukee’s offense erupted behind a grand slam and dominated Chicago.
- August 19 (doubleheader): The Cubs swept both games, with rookie Owen Caissie hitting his first MLB home run in Game 1.
- August 20: Matt Shaw’s eighth-inning homer gave Chicago a walk-off-style 4-3 edge.
Despite the Cubs winning the regular season series, the Brewers kept it competitive all year. That set the stage for something even bigger.
The 2025 NLDS: Milwaukee Wins the Battle That Matters
When the Cubs and Brewers met in the 2025 NL Division Series, it was the first postseason matchup between these two teams. Five games. Maximum drama.
The series went back and forth just like their regular season clashes. Chicago won Game 3 by a convincing 6-0 score. But Milwaukee answered. The Brewers won Game 5 on October 11 by a score of 3-1 at American Family Field, ending Chicago’s season on their home turf.
That postseason win gave the Brewers a 3-2 edge in the all-time head-to-head postseason record. More importantly, it gave Milwaukee the last laugh in a rivalry year that the Cubs had dominated for most of the regular season. It is the kind of outcome that makes fans on both sides realize anything can happen when these teams meet.
The 2026 Season: Round Two Starts Now
Where Both Teams Stand Heading Into the Series
The first Brewers vs Cubs series of 2026 opened on May 18 at Wrigley Field. Here is a quick snapshot of where both teams sit right now:
Chicago Cubs (29-18)
- First place in the NL Central
- .617 winning percentage
- Impressive 18-5 home record
- Coming off three straight series losses heading into this matchup
- Team OPS of .749 ranks fourth in all of baseball
Milwaukee Brewers (26-18)
- Second place in the NL Central, 1.5 games back
- .591 winning percentage
- Three straight series wins coming in — over the Yankees, Padres, and Twins
- Team ERA of 3.29 ranks third in baseball
- Offense ranks last in home runs (30) but eighth in runs scored (218)
The Cubs have been better offensively. The Brewers have been better on the mound. That is a classic setup for a competitive three-game series.
Key Pitching Matchups to Watch
Pitching defines October baseball. It also defines May matchups between division rivals. Here is what the 2026 series looks like on the mound:
Game 1: Shota Imanaga vs Brandon Sproat Imanaga has been sharp in 2026. He carries a 2.32 ERA through nine starts with 59 strikeouts in 54.1 innings. But the Brewers have traditionally handled him well, holding a 5.73 ERA in games he has started against them. Sproat is a rookie righty who has been on an impressive run — part of a three-pitcher group for Milwaukee that has gone a combined 5-0 with a 1.27 ERA in May.
Game 2: Jacob Misiorowski vs Ben Brown This one might be the most exciting pitching matchup of the series. Misiorowski leads all of baseball with 80 strikeouts in just 51 innings this season. His 2.12 ERA and 2.27 FIP make him one of the most dominant young arms in the game right now. Brown counters with a 1.60 ERA and has been one of the Cubs’ biggest surprises. Both pitchers are locked in. Expect a grind.
Offensive Stars You Need to Watch
On the Cubs side, Ian Happ leads the team with 10 home runs. Seiya Suzuki, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alex Bregman, and Dansby Swanson round out a deep, dangerous lineup. Rookie Moisés Ballesteros has shown real pop. Michael Conforto is hitting .345 and leading the team in batting average.
For the Brewers, Brice Turang leads the offense. Christian Yelich just returned from injury and hit a home run in his first game back. Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn are also back from left hand fractures that sidelined them early. Tyler Black is hitting .333. This Brewers lineup is getting healthier at exactly the right time.
What Makes This Rivalry Different From Others
It Is Not Just Geographic. It Is Personal.
You can point to Cubs-Cardinals as a bigger national rivalry. But this one feels more personal. The cities are close enough that fans know each other. They work together. They argue at bars. They share family dinners where one side roots for the Brewers and the other roots for the Cubs.
That closeness creates a rivalry that never fully sleeps. There is no offseason break from it in the way there is with teams on opposite coasts.
The Fan Invasion Factor
At least 16% of the attendance boost at American Family Field for Cubs games comes directly from Cubs fans buying tickets and making the drive north. The Brewers have literally tried to restrict Cubs fans from purchasing tickets and still cannot stop it. That tells you everything about how deep Chicago’s fanbase runs.
At the same time, Brewers fans at Wrigley are loud and proud. I have been in both stadiums for these games, and the energy is unique. You can feel the rivalry in the crowd before the first pitch even lands.
Division Title Implications Every Single Year
This is not a rivalry between two teams fighting for third place. The Cubs and Brewers are consistent contenders for the NL Central crown. Every game they play has potential divisional impact. That raises the stakes on every at-bat, every stolen base, every bullpen decision.
In 2026, with the Cubs in first and the Brewers just 1.5 games back, the May series carries real weight. A Cubs sweep pushes Milwaukee further back. A Brewers series win closes the gap to a half game or less. The division race starts shaping up in May, and these two know it.
The All-Time Head-to-Head Numbers
If you like stats, here is the full picture of the Brewers vs Cubs rivalry by the numbers:
- Total meetings: 456
- All-time record: Brewers lead 233-228
- Regular season record: Brewers lead 230-226
- Postseason record: Brewers lead 3-2 (after 2025 NLDS win)
- Brewers’ largest win: 18-1 on August 2, 2010
- Cubs’ largest win: 19-5 on April 30, 2008
- Brewers’ longest win streak: 11 games (April 24 to September 18, 2021)
- Cubs’ longest win streak: 9 games (July 30 to September 22, 2015)
- Last 3 seasons head-to-head: Brewers lead 24-20 across 44 games
The Brewers hold the edge, but it is razor-thin. That is the definition of a true rivalry. No team owns the other. Both know they can win on any given night.
Injury Watch: What Could Change the 2026 Series
Injuries are shaping both rosters right now. You need to know who is missing and what that means for each game.
Cubs injured list: Justin Steele, Cade Horton, Porter Hodge, Shelby Miller, and Jordan Wicks are all unavailable. That is a significant chunk of pitching depth. Matthew Boyd is also dealing with a knee issue. The Cubs are managing with a patchwork rotation — which is why Ben Brown’s emergence has been so valuable.
Brewers injured list: Brandon Woodruff, Quinn Priester, Jared Koenig, and Angel Zerpa are all out. The bullpen has been stretched. Aaron Ashby has been the primary lefty weapon and has stepped up well. Milwaukee has managed through it with a team ERA that is still third-best in baseball.
Both teams are navigating significant health challenges. The team that can get more production from its healthy arms in this series will likely take it.
Why the 2026 Series at Wrigley Feels Like October
Craig Counsell said it best before the series started. He called it a big series. His Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers said the whole team is excited and that some guys are about to experience that Wrigley atmosphere for the first time.
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner made the point that every season is new, with different roster construction and different energy. But the competitive hunger is always the same. These two teams push each other harder than almost anyone else in the NL.
The Cubs have won 15 straight games at Wrigley and are currently on that active streak. The Brewers come in riding three straight series wins. Something has to give. That is the beauty of this matchup.
Conclusion
The Brewers vs Cubs rivalry is one of baseball’s most underrated ongoing stories. It has history, geography, personality feuds, dramatic postseason clashes, and consistent competitive balance. No team dominates the other. Every series matters. Every game carries stakes.
In 2025, the Brewers won when it mattered most — eliminating Chicago in the NLDS. In 2026, the Cubs are out in front but the Brewers are right behind them. The May 18-20 series at Wrigley is just the opening chapter of what could be another defining year in this rivalry.
If you are a fan of either team, buckle up. If you are just a casual baseball fan who appreciates a great rivalry, this is the one to follow closely right now.
Who do you think comes out on top this season — the Cubs or the Brewers? Drop your take in the comments or share this with a fan on the other side of the rivalry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brewers vs Cubs
1. Who leads the all-time Brewers vs Cubs series? The Brewers lead the all-time head-to-head record at 233-228 across 456 total meetings. The edge is small, which makes every game feel meaningful.
2. When did the Brewers vs Cubs rivalry officially start? The rivalry began on June 13, 1997, when the Brewers moved from the American League to the National League. The Brewers won that first game 6-4 at Wrigley Field.
3. Have the Brewers and Cubs ever met in the playoffs? Yes. Their first postseason meeting came in the 2025 NL Division Series. The Brewers won the series 3-2, advancing to the NLCS after a dramatic five-game battle.
4. Why did Craig Counsell leave the Brewers for the Cubs? In 2023, Craig Counsell accepted a lucrative contract offer from the Chicago Cubs to become their manager. He spent years building Milwaukee into a playoff contender, making his departure feel like a betrayal to many Brewers fans.
5. How many times do the Brewers and Cubs play each year? As NL Central division rivals, the two teams typically play 13 to 19 games against each other per regular season. They often see each other in multiple series spread across the calendar.
6. What is the biggest win in the rivalry? The Brewers’ largest win was an 18-1 blowout on August 2, 2010. The Cubs responded with a 19-5 victory on April 30, 2008, which remains their biggest margin of victory in the rivalry.
7. Do Cubs fans actually go to games in Milwaukee? Absolutely. At least 16% of the attendance increase at American Family Field for Cubs games comes directly from Cubs fans making the trip to Milwaukee. The Brewers have tried limiting ticket sales to Cubs fans with limited success.
8. Where do the Cubs and Brewers play their home games? The Chicago Cubs play at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Milwaukee Brewers play at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The two stadiums are about 90 miles apart.
9. Who are the top hitters in the 2026 Brewers vs Cubs matchups? On the Cubs side, Michael Conforto (.345 average), Ian Happ (10 home runs), and Pete Crow-Armstrong lead the offense. For the Brewers, Brice Turang, Tyler Black (.333 average), and the returning Christian Yelich are the names to watch.
10. What channel can I watch Brewers vs Cubs games on? In 2026, Brewers vs Cubs games at Wrigley Field air on Marquee Sports Network, Bally Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee broadcast), and MLB.TV. Check local listings for regional blackout details.
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Author Name: James Calloway
About the Author : James Calloway is a sports journalist and baseball analyst with over a decade of experience covering Major League Baseball. A lifelong fan of the game, James has written for multiple national and regional outlets focusing on NL Central rivalries, player performance, and the culture of fandom. When he is not at the ballpark, he is breaking down box scores, arguing about bullpen management, and convincing anyone who will listen that the Midwest produces the best baseball rivalries in the sport.
