Cubs' Playoff Hopes Take Another Hit in Loss to Brewers
The Cubs jumped out to an early five-run lead but went silent at the plate after the second inning, falling 9-5 to Milwaukee. A reliever suffered a forearm injury, though X-rays came back negative. The loss extends Chicago's skid to three straight series, further damaging their wild-card chances.
The Cubs' offensive collapse was stark: after plating five runs in the opening two frames against Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski, Chicago managed just two hits the rest of the night. Pete Crow-Armstrong, enjoying an MVP-caliber season with 38 homers, walked twice early but struck out later, while Alex Bregman's early production — a home run and a two-run single — proved insufficient.
Manager Craig Counsell indicated the club will continue deploying reliever Daniel Palencia despite his recent struggles, noting the team needs him to find form. Palencia has surrendered seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings since returning from a two-month injured-list stint. The Cubs sit one game behind Philadelphia in the wild-card race, with Milwaukee holding a commanding nine-game division lead.
This loss could weigh on Cubs fans and the broader Chicago sports community, as the team's late-season slide threatens to end a promising campaign prematurely. A wild-card miss would ripple through ticket sales, local businesses near Wrigley Field, and postseason broadcast revenue. The team's bullpen instability may also raise questions about roster construction, affecting fan confidence and offseason expectations.