The Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 on June 18, 2025, powered by homers from Pete Crow-Armstrong & Seiya Suzuki to extend their NL Central lead.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The friendly confines felt electric Wednesday as the Chicago Cubs put on a show, dispatching the rival Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 to extend their NL Central lead to a comfortable 6.5 games. It was a complete team effort, powered by timely homers, solid pitching, and slick defense, proving once again that this Cubs team is built to win now while showcasing an incredibly bright future.
Pete Crow-Armstrong didn't just hit a home run; he launched a 452-foot exclamation point into the Wrigley Field bleachers.
The offense was fueled by the long ball. Seiya Suzuki continued his stellar season, smashing his 18th homer to get the scoring started. But the biggest blast of the night came from Pete Crow-Armstrong, whose 19th home run—a colossal 452-foot shot in the eighth—provided crucial insurance. Newly acquired Kyle Tucker made his presence felt with three hits, while rookie Matt Shaw chipped in with an RBI double. On the mound, Ben Brown battled through five innings of two-run ball, striking out five to earn the win. The bullpen was solid, with Brad Keller escaping a key jam before Daniel Palencia locked down his seventh save. The win improves the Cubs to 4-1 on this critical homestand.
While PCA was launching rockets at Wrigley, the next wave of talent was making noise down on the farm. No. 2 prospect Owen Caissie had a career night, racking up four hits and reminding everyone of the offensive firepower waiting in the wings. This performance underscores the incredible depth of the Cubs' system. Even after trading former top prospect Cam Smith to acquire Kyle Tucker, the organization still boasts seven players in MLB's Top 100 prospects, tied for the most in baseball. Farm director Jason Kanzler praised the depth, noting the system is ready to contribute to the big-league club or be used as assets for a deep playoff run.
The Cubs will look to secure the series win tomorrow with their steadiest arm on the mound. Jameson Taillon (7-3, 3.48 ERA) is set to face the Brewers, and he'll be aiming for his sixth consecutive victory. Taillon has been a rock in the rotation, providing quality starts and consistency when the team has needed it most. His upcoming duel with Milwaukee's hard-throwing Jacob Misiorowski is a must-watch matchup that could further solidify the Cubs' hold on the division.
With a commanding 6.5-game lead and Jameson Taillon on a hot streak, the Cubs are in the driver's seat. This team isn't just winning now; it's showcasing a sustainable model of success fueled by savvy trades and a deep, productive farm system. As the trade deadline nears, the front office has both a winning roster to support and a wealth of prospects to leverage. The rest of this series against Milwaukee is crucial, and all eyes will be on Jamo to keep the momentum rolling.
