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3 Takeaways as the Cubs Drop Series to Giants
Photo: David Banks-Imagn Images

3 Takeaways as the Cubs Drop Series to Giants

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net  |  By Rich Eberwein  |  Last updated May 7, 2025 7:25 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs fell to the San Francisco Giants in back-to-back games this week, dropping Wednesday's contest by a 3-1 score. 

The series looked promising when the Cubs scored an impressive nine runs on Monday and mounted a defiant ninth inning comeback on Tuesday. The Cubs tied Tuesday's game after scoring two dramatic runs in the ninth inning, and it looked like the makings of another iconic win for the 2025 team. 

But things soured in the eleventh inning, when closer Ryan Pressly allowed an unfathomable nine runs to score while failing to record a single out. The drastic momentum shift and hangover from Pressly's embarrassing outing unfortunately carried over into Wednesday's game, where the Cubs managed to plate just one run. Here are three takeaways from the afternoon loss. 

Ben Brown Battled

Cubs starter Ben Brown got himself into trouble a few times on Wednesday, but he was able to hold the Giants to just three runs despite them having multiple chances to tack on more. Brown's command looked nonexistent at times, which may have been due to the chilly weather and wind, but he locked in to go five innings. 

The 25-year-old also struck out nine batters and worked around six hits and two walks from San Francisco. It wasn't a fantastic outing, but Brown and manager Craig Counsell should be content with the performance. The Cubs were within two runs when Brown left the game after the fifth inning, and he gave his team a great shot to win a ballgame. 

Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong also provided Brown some support by cutting down a runner at home plate. 

The Bullpen also Came Through

After Brown's departure, five Cubs relievers turned in scoreless outings to keep Chicago within striking distance. Brad Keller and Chris Flexen continued to dominate, while Julian Merryweather returned to form after allowing two runs to score in his last outing against the Brewers. 

Newcomer Gavin Hollowell was the only reliever who got into trouble. The big right-hander loaded the bags in the sixth inning with no outs and it looked like San Francisco was going to blow the game open. But a slick double play started by third baseman Jon Berti prevented a run from scoring. 

Counsell also brought in veteran southpaw Drew Pomeranz to bail out Hollowell, and he ended the threat by striking out Giants leadoff hitter Mike Yastrzemski. After not appearing in an MLB game since 2021, the 36-year-old Pomeranz has yet to give up an earned run through his first six appearances with the Cubs. 

The Bats Were Cold

Wednesday's biggest disappointment was clearly the offense. The Cubs lineup only managed to collect four hits and three walks on the day. Two of those hits were doubles off the bat of second baseman Nico Hoerner, who also scored Chicago's only run. 

And it was a run the Cubs were lucky to have in the first place. It came when Crow-Armstrong hit what should have been a routine fly ball to left field that was misplayed by left fielder Heliot Ramos. The wind seemingly put the ball just out of Ramos' reach, leading to the Cubs' one run. 

Hopefully it was just a fluke performance by the Cubs, and an off day on Thursday might help them get back to form. 

What's On Tap Next?

The Cubs head to New York for a brief three-game set with the Mets over the weekend. They return home on Monday to host six games against the Miami Marlins and Chicago Whites Sox next week. 

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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