Even though the Cubs managed to claw their way back from a 2-0 deficit and force a decisive Game 5, let’s be honest about what we witnessed tonight at American Family Field — the better team won. The Milwaukee Brewers’ 3-1 victory over Chicago wasn’t just about getting three timely home runs from William Contreras, Andrew Vaughn, and Brice Turang. It was about a fundamental truth that often gets lost in the noise of modern baseball: it’s not about how much money you spend, it’s about how smartly you spend it.
The Cubs, despite their higher payroll and bigger market advantages, were always chasing the Brewers in this series. Milwaukee entered 2025 with a payroll of approximately $121.7 million, ranking 22nd in Major League Baseball. Meanwhile, the Cubs operated with a payroll around $211.9 million, sitting comfortably in the top 10. Yet here we are, with the small-market Brewers advancing to face the Dodgers in the NLCS while the Cubs head home for the winter.
This wasn’t some David versus Goliath upset story. This was simply the better-constructed, better-managed team doing what they’ve done for years — finding ways to win with less. The Brewers have made the playoffs seven times in the past eight seasons, not because they got lucky, but because they’ve mastered something that many franchises with deeper pockets never figure out: organizational excellence from top to bottom.
Saturday’s game perfectly encapsulated Milwaukee’s identity. They got clutch hits when they needed them, with all three home runs coming with two outs. Their bullpen — cobbled together from Trevor Megill, Jacob Misiorowski, Aaron Ashby, Chad Patrick, and Abner Uribe — held the Cubs to just four hits. This wasn’t about having the highest-paid closer or the most expensive setup man. This was about having the right players in the right spots, understanding their strengths and limitations, and maximizing what they bring to the table.
The Cubs, for all their spending, couldn’t manufacture more than one run against Milwaukee’s collective pitching effort. They managed just four hits total, and their best scoring opportunity came in the sixth inning when they put runners on first and second with nobody out. But Milwaukee’s pitching staff — led by Ashby striking out Kyle Tucker and Patrick getting Seiya Suzuki to fly out before striking out Ian Happ — snuffed out the threat. That’s not about payroll. That’s about execution and preparation.
What makes Milwaukee’s success even more impressive is how they’ve been able to sustain it while constantly turning over key pieces. They traded Corbin Burnes before the 2024 season. They lost Willy Adames to free agency and traded Devin Williams last winter. Yet they still finished with the best record in baseball at 97-65. They’ve mastered the art of getting maximum value from players before they become too expensive to retain, then seamlessly replacing them with internal options or smart acquisitions.
Take Andrew Vaughn, whose go-ahead homer in the fourth inning broke a 1-1 tie and proved to be the winning run. The Brewers acquired him from the Chicago White Sox in June, giving him a fresh start after he’d struggled to live up to his status as a former third overall pick. With Milwaukee, Vaughn found his groove and became a key contributor. That’s not about outspending opponents — that’s about identifying undervalued talent and putting players in positions to succeed.
The Cubs’ approach, while not inherently flawed, represents a different philosophy. They’re willing to spend big on proven commodities, signing high-profile free agents and making splashy moves. But that strategy only works if you’re spending efficiently and building a complete roster. Having a higher payroll doesn’t guarantee success if you’re not maximizing every dollar spent.
Milwaukee’s success stems from their exceptional player development system, currently ranked among the top farm systems in baseball. They’ve consistently produced impact players like Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Brice Turang, and Garrett Mitchell. Their international scouting efforts, particularly in the Dominican Republic where they’ve built a state-of-the-art academy, continue to yield talented prospects. This isn’t just about finding cheap players — it’s about building a sustainable model that doesn’t rely on expensive free agents to compete.
The Brewers’ front office, led by owner Mark Attanasio, has created what they call a hybrid approach to roster construction. They’ll spend when it makes sense, like Christian Yelich’s seven-year, $189 million extension or Jackson Chourio’s eight-year, $82 million deal. But they’re strategic about those investments, targeting players who fit their system and culture rather than simply chasing the biggest names available.
This organizational philosophy extends beyond just player acquisition. Milwaukee has invested heavily in analytics, upgraded their minor league facilities, and renovated their spring training complex. They’ve built infrastructure that allows them to compete consistently, even when they can’t match the Yankees or Dodgers dollar for dollar in free agency.
The Cubs, despite their higher payroll, often seem to be searching for an identity. They’ve made significant investments in players and coaching staff — including making Craig Counsell the highest-paid manager in baseball — but haven’t achieved the sustained success that Milwaukee has enjoyed. Part of this comes down to organizational culture and continuity, areas where the Brewers have excelled.
Saturday’s victory was particularly sweet for Milwaukee because it came against their division rivals and former manager. Counsell, who led the Brewers to multiple playoff appearances, returned to haunt his former team as Cubs manager. But Pat Murphy out managed Counsell in crucial moments throughout the series. That’s not about payroll — that’s about preparation and game management.
The broader lesson from this series extends beyond just these two teams. In an era where massive payrolls dominate headlines, Milwaukee continues to prove that smart, efficient spending can compete with — and often beat — the big spenders. They’ve shown that developing talent internally, making shrewd trades, and creating a winning culture matters more than simply having the highest payroll in your division.
The Brewers’ advancement to the NLCS represents validation of their model. They’ll face the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team with nearly three times their payroll, but they’ve already proven they can compete with anyone. They went 6-0 against Los Angeles during the regular season, showing that October magic often comes down to execution rather than expenditure.
Here’s the thing, folks: We cannot diminish what the Cubs accomplished by forcing a Game 5. They showed resilience by winning Games 3 and 4 at Wrigley Field. But in the end, the team with better organizational structure, smarter resource allocation, and superior player development advanced. The Cubs may have spent more money, but the Brewers spent their money better.
With that… As Milwaukee prepares for their NLCS matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers, they do so knowing they’ve already overcome the biggest challenge any small-market team faces: proving that intelligent spending trumps reckless spending every time. The better team won on Saturday night, and it wasn’t even particularly close once you looked beyond the final score.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!