The Cubs shutout Brewers to force a game five of the NLDS with an early offensive explosion and solid pitching performance.

After a nail-biting win on Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs followed things up with a shutout win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night.

The Cubs did not take long at all to punch the Brewers, and starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. In the bottom of the first inning, after a Nico Hoerner single and a Kyle Tucker walk, Ian Happ smashed a three-run home run to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead.

Peralta was overworked by the Cubs hitters early and often, and after just four innings and 84 pitches, his night was over.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, after Carson Kelly reached base on an error, a Dansby Swanson single, and a double steal, Matthew Shaw hit an RBI single to give the Cubs a 4-0 lead.

Tucker added another run in the seventh inning with a solo home run of his own. Michael Busch follwed that up with another solo home run in the eighth inning to eventually give the Cubs a 6-0 win over the Brewers.

Story continues below.

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Matthew Boyd took the start on the mound for the Cubs, and although he did not earn the win, he was excellent. In 4.2 innings pitched, he gave up zero runs on two hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

Daniel Palencia earned the win, throwing 1.1 innings while giving up zero runs. Drew Pomeranz, Brad Keller, and Caleb Thielbar all made scoreless appearances as well.

With the Cubs win, things now shift back to Milwaukee for a winner-take-all game to see who will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS.

Although no pitchers have been announced yet for either team, game time is set for Saturday at 6:08 PM CDT.