Tensions flared again between the Brewers and Cubs as the rivalry picked up right where it left off. Willson Contreras got drilled by a pitch for what felt like the hundredth time against Milwaukee. Woodruff hit him on the hands, and while it looked unintentional, it struck a nerve with the Cubs. Contreras went down, holding his pinky, but stayed in the game. A couple innings later, the Cubs sent a message of their own. A pitch sailed behind Woodruff’s legs, leading to an immediate reaction as he shouted at the dugout and had to be calmed down by the umpire, who oddly seemed more like a friend than an official.
Things stayed tense but didn’t blow up. Contreras and the pitcher had a quick word, with Contreras offering a pat on the backside, trying to keep things from escalating. The ump issued warnings to both benches. The game moved on, and Woodruff ended the drama with a solid strikeout. But Contreras got the final word anyway. Later in the game, he crushed a two-run homer and flipped his bat hard as the Cubs took the lead. A brewing rivalry, personal grudges, and some retaliation pitches set the tone for what’s shaping up to be a heated season series.