Pat Murphy urges Brewers' Peralta to 'run through a wall' in NLDS Game 1

When Pat Murphy, the 66‑year‑old manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, gathered his staff on the field at American Family Field on the morning of October 4, 2025, his message to starter Freddy Peralta was crystal‑clear: “Get ready to run through a wall.” The rallying cry, captured by Sports Illustrated reporter Jackson Roberts, set the tone for Game 1 of the National League Division SeriesMilwaukee, Wisconsin against the Chicago Cubs. The stakes were high, the crowd was buzzing, and Murphy’s emphasis on home‑field advantage would become a recurring theme throughout the series.

Pre‑game pep talk: A wall‑smashing metaphor

Murphy didn’t mince words. “It’s critical. It’s critical,” he repeated, underscoring how rare it is for a team to clinch a postseason series at home. He later explained, “If you’re still in that game and then you get bases loaded and then you lose, whoa, that’s a dagger in the heart.” The “wall” metaphor was meant to remind Peralta—and the entire roster—that the Brewers could and must bulldoze any resistance, even if the odds seemed stacked.

Why home‑field matters in October

The Brewers entered the playoffs as the National League Central champions with a 92‑70 record, the best in the division for the first time since 2020. Murphy cited a recent loss in the regular season where the opposing team “left 11 guys on base” while Milwaukee went “zero before the ninth inning.” That embarrassment, he said, taught the club the value of capitalizing on every run‑scoring chance, especially when the crowd’s energy is on your side.

Analysts at Baseball‑Reference.com note that home teams win roughly 54 % of NLDS games. In a short best‑of‑five, that margin can be the difference between a championship run and an early exit.

Peralta’s postseason pedigree: One of two veterans

Although many Brewers players were tasting the postseason for the first time, Peralta is one of only two who have ever pitched an away playoff game. The other is the 32‑year‑old left fielder Christian Yelich, the 2018 NL MVP. Peralta, 28, hails from Sabana de la Mar, Dominican Republic, signed as an international free agent in 2014, debuted in 2018, and posted a 3.87 ERA over 149 innings with 156 strikeouts during the regular season. His experience, albeit limited, made him a focal point of Murphy’s strategy.

“I’m really proud of him,” relief pitcher Abner Uribe said in a post‑game interview. “I know his process in the minors, how difficult it was for him, and what he’s done for us.” The camaraderie between the young Dominican duo illustrates the clubhouse chemistry Murphy hopes to translate into victories.

Series overview: Triumphs, setbacks, and a winner‑take‑all Game 5

The NLDS began with two home wins for Milwaukee. Peralta’s Game 1 start yielded six earned runs over five innings, but the Brewers rallied to a 7‑6 victory thanks to a late‑inning three‑run double by Yelich. Game 2 saw a dominant bullpen performance, pushing the series lead to 2‑0.

Traveling to Wrigley Field for Games 3 and 4, the Cubs reversed the tide, winning both contests and forcing a decisive Game 5 back in Milwaukee. The back‑and‑forth pattern mirrored the 2022 ALDS between the Astros and Yankees, where home‑team advantage similarly swung like a pendulum.

Expert and teammate reactions: The psychological edge

Baseball psychologist Dr. Lisa Hernández, who advises several MLB clubs, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Murphy’s ‘run through a wall’ line is classic motivational framing. It creates an image of unstoppable momentum, which can reduce anxiety and boost confidence in high‑leverage situations.”

Meanwhile, veteran catcher James McCarthy reflected on the pressure of being the sole “away‑playoff” veterans. “We’ve got a lot of young guys who have never heard the roar of a postseason crowd. When Yelich and Freddy step up, they set the tone. It’s like a lighthouse in a foggy night.”

What lies ahead: Game 5 and beyond

As the series heads into its final showdown, Murphy reiterated his mantra: “Take advantage of every inch of turf we have.” He hinted that the starting rotation for Game 5 could be flexible, noting, “When you get into the second game, especially the third, we have to think about rest, usage, and who’s gassed.” The decision will likely rest on whether Peralta, who is scheduled to appear in relief if needed, can recover his composure after a rough Game 1.

If the Brewers clinch the NLDS, they will advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2021, potentially setting up a clash with the Dodgers or Braves—both heavy favorites. The “wall” metaphor may well become a rallying chant for the city of Milwaukee, whose fans have waited four years for playoff baseball.

Key Facts

• Game 1 NLDS start: Freddy Peralta vs. Chicago Cubs at American Family Field.
• Murphy’s motivational line: “Get ready to run through a wall.”
• Brewers regular‑season record: 92‑70 (NL Central champions).
• Peralta’s 2025 stats: 3.87 ERA, 156 K, 149 IP.
• Only two Brewers with away‑playoff experience: Peralta and Christian Yelich.