Covering the bases 8/18/2025: Brewers 7, Cubs 0 (Game 1)
Opening what had been billed as a huge five-game series between division rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers simply did what they have been doing over the last month. Win. A strong start and a late rally paved the way for a 7-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs in the first game of a doubleheader Monday at Wrigley Field. The win boosted the Brewers' lead over the Cubs to nine games and came one day after the Brewers had a club-record 14-game winning streak snapped. Milwaukee has the best record in MLB at 79-45.
FIRST BASE: Do-it-all Anderson
It was probably part of the plan, but right-handed reliever Grant Anderson was optioned to Triple-A and called up a day later when left-hander DL Hall went on the 15-day injured list. Anderson has been one of the most reliable relievers in the Brewers' bullpen. He finished off Monday's opener by pitching a perfect ninth inning, striking out one. That got his ERA back down under 3.00 at 2.97. He has 64 strikeouts and 27 walks in 60⅔ innings. He had a combined 62⅓ innings in his first two MLB seasons with the Texas Rangers and maxed out at 67⅔ in the Rangers' minors in 2022.
SECOND BASE: Bottom's up
The bottom of the Brewers' order continues to produce. With Sal Frelick hitting seventh and Joey Ortiz ninth, each had two hits with Frelick scoring twice and Ortiz once while also driving in a run. Ortiz got the scoring started in the four-run eighth inning that put the game on ice with an RBI infield single.
THIRD BASE: Turang, Durbin power up
Before the game turned into a rout, the Brewers used a pair of homers from a pair of unlikely sources. Well, at least one unlikely. Brice Turang cranked out his career-best 13th homer in the third inning. Turang, whose previous career best was eight homers, had a recent power surge with four homers in five games before not going deep in the four games before Monday. The other homer came from rookie Caleb Durbin, who hit a solo homer in the fifth inning to make it 2-0. It was Durbin's seventh homer of the season.
HOME PLATE: The Peralta experience
Right-hander Freddy Peralta is a high-wire performer. For most of his outings, he shows why he has started the last two Opening Days for the Brewers. But then there is also a moment of two where he wobbles and you don't know if he will fall. This was peak Peralta, as he allowed just one hit over six shutout innings, walking three and striking out six. His wobble came in the fourth inning. With one out, Peralta issued all three of his walks to load the bases. But Peralta wiggled out of the jam by striking out rookie Owen Caissie and then getting Nico Hoerner to line out to right. Peralta picked up his MLB-leading 15th win, putting him in position to win 20 games this season. His previous career best was 12 in 2023. Peralta is also the first Crew pitcher to reach 15 wins since Jhoulys Chacin in 2018.
EXTRA BASES: Patrick on the bump
⚾ As expected, right-hander Chad Patrick was called up as the 27th man for the doubleheader and was scheduled to start the nightcap. Patrick was a key member of the Brewers' rotation early in the season, posting a 3.52 ERA while going 3-7 in 19 games (18 starts). The Cubs are activating right-hander Jameson Taillon from the injured list to start. Taillon is 7-6 with a 4.44 ERA in 17 starts. Taillon has been out since July 4 with a strained right calf.
⚾ One other move made before the game was left fielder Isaac Collins being activated from the paternity list. However, Collins developed a cranky back in his new parental duties and did not start the opener. Infielder-outfielder Tyler Black was sent back to Triple-A Nashville.
