ZT outlines DraftKings MLB DFS Showdown strategy for Game 5 of the NLDS between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs.

The 2025 MLB Postseason has been outstanding so far with memorable performances and great matchups. The action rolls on this Saturday with another winner-take-all Game 5 to decide the final remaining Division Series. The Chicago Cubs visit the Milwaukee Brewers after forcing a deciding Game 5 with back-to-back wins in Chicago. Can they complete the comeback from an 0-2 hole and knock off their division rivals, or will coming home be enough for the Brewers to right the ship and advance to face the Dodgers in the NLCS?

The pitching matchup for Game 5 will be fascinating. Both teams are expected to rely heavily on the bullpen with Drew Pomeranz ($4,000) opening for the Cubs and the Brewers’ starter uncertain, but Jacob Misiorowski ($10,800) expected to play a big role in the plan as a bulk option.

Let’s take a look at what to expect and how to attack this Brewers vs. Cubs MLB DFS matchup from a DraftKings Showdown perspective.

Set your DraftKings MLB DFS lineups here: MLB Showdown $100K Relay Throw [$25K to 1st] (CHC @ MIL)

Cubs vs. Brewers Game 5 Showdown

Captain’s Picks

Jackson Chourio ($13,800 CP): I already hyped up Chourio in my player prop bets for this contest, and I also love him as the starting point for DFS Showdown lineups. He had 19 and 21 fantasy points in the first two games of this series, and has averaged 12.3 fantasy points over his last eight games dating back to the regular season.
He’s 7-for-15 in this series and 14-for-43 (.326) in his nine games against the Cubs in the regular season and postseason, averaging 9.0 fantasy points per game against Chicago.
Chourio hit .343 with a .411 wOBA against lefties, so his matchup against lefty Drew Pomeranz is one that should be in his favor. However, since Pomeranz is just the opener, it’s more important to chase his overall form rather than a specific matchup.

Andrew Vaughn ($10,200 CP): Vaughn has been one of the best midseason trade acquisitions in recent memory. The No. 3 pick in the 2019 MLB Draft started the year with the White Sox but was sent to the minors and ultimately traded to the Brewers in exchange for starting pitcher Aaron Civale, who the Brewers used as an early-season stopgap until other options got healthy.
Vaughn has been excellent since joining the Brewers, hitting .308 with nine homers and a .373 wOBA in the regular season with the Brew Crew and carrying that success into this series by going 3-for-10 (.300) with a home run, three runs scored, and three RBI. He has averaged 11.3 fantasy points in the three games he has started, picking up a hit in each contest. He makes a solid UTIL play if you go with Chourio as your Captain’s Pick, or he can be the Captain’s Pick of a nice balanced approach stocked with strong bats.

UTIL Plays

Kyle Tucker ($9,600): Tucker went 0-for-6 with two walks in the first two games of this series, but flipped the switch and went 4-for-6 with 33 fantasy points in the two games at Wrigley Field. The lefty always has a high ceiling with so much power potential but has been an inconsistent contributor all season for Chicago. He has a high ceiling and lots of potential, though, and the Cubs will need him to come up large on this huge stage.

Nico Hoerner ($7,000): While the Cubs have had some big games off and on from some of their heavier hitters, Hoerner has been a steady presence all series and throughout the postseason. He has hit safely in each of the Cubs’ seven playoff games, going 10-for-28 (.429) with a double, a stolen base, and a home run. He has averaged 8.9 fantasy points per game in the postseason and has at least eight fantasy points in every game in this series. He had a playoff-high 16 fantasy points in Game 4 and is a very strong mid-range play to use in a UTIL spot in Game 5, even though he doesn’t have as high of a power ceiling as some of the other options on the board.

Abner Uribe ($4,000): One interesting strategy to consider in bullpen games like this is to use a relief pitcher in one of your UTIL slots. There’s a chance they don’t appear in the game and you end up with a whiff, but their bargain salary helps stack big bats in other spots. If they do pitch (and pitch well), they can return great value. One relief pitcher who brings good upside is the fireballing Uribe, who had three strikeouts in a no-hit inning against the Cubs in Game 2. He finished with 8.2 fantasy points in that one inning, and he could also be a candidate for a save depending on how everything shakes out. In his 29 games since the All-Star break, Uribe has a 0.62 ERA and 0.93 WHIP while racking up an impressive 30 strikeouts in 29 innings. If he comes in and gives the Brewers and your lineup a clean inning, he’ll be a solid option at $4,000, especially if he happens to get the save or secure a few strikeouts.

Fades

Jacob Misiorowski ($10,800) & Shota Imanaga ($10,600): In a single-game showdown, normally you want to include one bulk-innings option or starting pitcher, potentially both. However, in this matchup and scenario, I don’t think any pitcher will be around long enough to be worth paying up this much for. It’s a stronger strategy to build around bats and possibly include a pitcher from the $4,000 group like Uribe.

The Outcome

In what we can only hope lives up to  be a dramatic game like Friday night’s Game 5, I’ll take the Brewers to win a close, low-scoring game at home. I gave more details in my full prediction and pick for the game, but ultimately, the Brewers’ pitching staff is used to this scenario and has had success in this situation in the past. I don’t trust the Cubs’ offense on the road.

Final Score: Milwaukee 4, Chicago 1