3 critical Cubs X-factors heading into NLDS Game 5 against the Brewers

On the heels of Friday night's 15-inning marathon between the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners that saw the M's punch their first ALCS ticket in 24 years, the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers have a win-or-go-home Game 5 of their own - with a date with the reigning World Series champions awaiting the victor.

After the Brewers jumped out to an early two games-to-none lead with back-to-back commanding performances to start the series, Craig Counsell's club showed what it's made of, taking both games at Wrigley Field this week to send the NLDS back to Milwaukee for one final game.

So as we all anxiously await tonight's contest, let's dig in on three X-factors for the Cubs in Game 5.

3 critical Cubs X-factors heading into NLDS Game 5 against the Brewers

Can Shota Imanaga bounce back after a rough Game 2 showing?

The Chicago Cubs need Shota Imanaga to, at the very least, be a serviceable starter if they want to keep their season alive. We don't know what role he'll play on Saturday, but I'd be surprised if he didn't pitch at all.

He struggled in Game 2, giving up a pair of home runs and failing to get out of the third inning in a 7-3 Cubs' loss. The left-hander has struggled to keep the ball in the yard for months now, allowing at least one home run in 11 straight starts, dating back to Aug. 5. Avoiding the gut punch of a huge homer like the one he gave up to William Contreras his last time out is a must if he's going to be a contributor for Chicago.

Is this the game Kyle Tucker puts the offense on his shoulders?

Kyle Tucker turned in multi-hit efforts in both of the Cubs' wins this week, sending 41,000-plus into a frenzy with his late home run in Game 4. He's up to a .304/.429/.435 postseason slash line, including a 1.113 OPS in the NLDS. The All-Star outfielder looks completely locked in - and if he can carry that into Game 5, it could be the difference-maker Chicago is looking for.

It's been a strange year for Tucker, who will headline this winter's free agent class. He got off to an MVP-caliber start before suffering a finger injury and going into a summer swoon. A calf injury cost him almost the entire final month of the regular season, raising questions about how impactful he'd be limited to DH duties in October.

He's answered those questions this week - and could extend the Cubs chapter of his career with a big performance on Saturday night.

Can the Cubs' bullpen answer the call yet again?

Both the Chicago and Milwaukee bullpens have been lockdown in the NLDS - and, if the Cubs hope to board a flight for Los Angeles, they'll need their relievers to step up one more time.

It's all hands on deck on both sides of the equation in Game 5. You will see all the arms that have delivered the Cubs from the brink of elimination to a potential clincher against the National League's top club - Brad Keller, Daniel Palencia, Andrew Kittredge, Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz, among others.

If they can quiet the Brewers' offense one more time, Chicago could be headed back to the League Championship Series for the fourth time in the last decade.