The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at American Family Field with both teams seeking to assert their place in the evolving NL Central race, and while the Cubs enter with momentum and a division-leading 20-13 record, the Brewers are trying to stop the bleeding after dropping the first two games and slipping to 16-17 on the season. Chicago has surged thanks to a potent, well-rounded offense that ranks among the league’s best in key categories, including a .266 team batting average, .461 slugging percentage, and 198 RBIs, powered by consistent performances from Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and a rejuvenated Dansby Swanson, while their ability to manufacture runs throughout the lineup has made them one of the toughest outs in baseball. The Cubs’ starting rotation has also solidified, with Japanese southpaw Shota Imanaga emerging as one of the league’s early surprises, entering Sunday’s start with a sub-2.00 ERA, pinpoint command, and a deceptive fastball that has baffled hitters, helping the team maintain a strong 3.86 collective ERA. Chicago’s bullpen has held its own, especially in high-leverage spots, and manager Craig Counsell’s tactical style has allowed the Cubs to squeeze the most out of each matchup, using speed, timely power, and defensive precision to grind out victories. On the other side, Milwaukee has struggled to find offensive consistency, with a .235 team batting average and only 92 runs scored over the season’s first month, and while Christian Yelich and William Contreras have delivered quality at-bats, the lineup lacks depth and has not produced with runners in scoring position.

Their pitching staff, headlined by Freddy Peralta who is expected to start Sunday, has been up and down, with Peralta’s strong strikeout numbers often overshadowed by occasional control lapses and the bullpen’s unreliability in close games. The Brewers’ team ERA of 4.46 has left little room for error, and despite having a 15-4 record ATS over their last 19 games, they’ve struggled to meet expectations against superior offenses like Chicago’s, especially when falling behind early. Historically, Milwaukee has had the Cubs’ number, going 7-3 ATS in their last 10 head-to-head meetings, but this current Cubs squad has a different edge, blending young talent, veteran poise, and smart situational play that has translated well in both high-scoring games and tight pitching duels. The key to Sunday’s game will likely hinge on the opening few innings—if Imanaga can set the tone and keep the Brewers’ top hitters off the bases, it could open the door for Chicago’s offense to methodically wear down Peralta and the Milwaukee bullpen. On the flip side, the Brewers must reverse their recent home woes, generate early offense, and play error-free defense to avoid being swept at home in a crucial divisional series. With the early NL Central standings tightening and postseason implications already beginning to take shape, this series finale carries weight beyond May, and both clubs will be pressing to send a message about their identity and staying power in one of baseball’s most competitive divisions.