3 Pressing Concerns as Cubs Drop Series Finale to Brewers

Shota Imanaga is the biggest concern following Sunday's game. In Sunday's loss, Imanaga left the game with a hamstring strain in his left leg. Hamstrings are nothing to take lightly, as Mercy Health confirms that most first- or second-grade strains require between three and eight weeks to heal. If Imanaga leans on the longer end of that scale, the Cubs are in deep trouble without their top two starters. 

Sure, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and Colin Rea are pitching very well, but losing one of two bulldogs in the rotation, after already losing Justin Steele for the year, puts the Cubs in a tough position. Now, either Chris Flexen or top pitching prospect Cade Horton will have to step in to keep the team cruising. 

Monday will likely come with more information on the situation at hand. 

Cubs Get the Sunday Scaries, Too

Like any fun-going human being, the Cubs play it up on the weekend. They go hard on Fridays, and hard on Saturdays. However, the Sunday Scaries appear to be a real problem for the Cubbies in 2025. 

For the fifth time this season, the Cubs lost a Sunday game. The Cubs are 1-5 on Sundays, with their lone win coming against the Los Angeles Dodgers back on April 13. Luckily, the Cubs have been on top of taking games on Fridays and Saturdays, not allowing Sundays to cost them series wins. As the Cubs get to the easier stretch in their schedule, sweep opportunities need to be capitalized on rather than turning into hangover-induced Sundays moving forward. 

Bullpen Struggles in a Jam

Although a tough situation for any pitcher to step into, Julian Merryweather struggled coming into Sunday's game cold. A wild pitch allowed the first Brewers' run to score, and it felt like a spiraling situation from there. The Brewers' four runs in the bottom of the sixth was all they needed to prevent a sweep. 

In general, Merryweather and the rest of the bullpen have struggled in big moments this season. Some arms are starting to settle in, and reinforcements could be on the way, but there is continued concern with the relief options at Craig Counsell's disposal. 

What's On Tap Next?

The Cubs will venture back to Chicago on Sunday evening as they await the San Francisco Giants for the start of a three-game series on Monday night. Matthew Boyd will take the ball for the Cubbies, with Landen Roupp doing the same for the visiting Giants. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CT.