The Chicago Cubs’ playoff run ended Saturday night in heartbreak, losing 3-1 to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 5 of the NLDS. Their comeback hopes fizzled under postseason pressure.
After rallying from a 2-0 deficit, the Cubs entered Game 5 believing in another miracle run. But Milwaukee’s pitching was relentless, silencing Wrigleyville’s October optimism with a dominant performance.
Early opportunities disappeared quickly. Seiya Suzuki’s solo HR energized the game instantly, but poor situational hitting destroyed any momentum that was gained. The Brewers executed more effectively.
The Cubs finished with only six baserunners and never really believed there was a rally. Each inning felt like a reset as Milwaukee controlled the tempo and confidence, while Chicago felt the pressure.
Throughout the season, the Cubs relied heavily on home runs. They seemed thrilling in June, but postseason pitching shut them down. When HRs disappear, so does their offense.
Craig Counsell, managing against his former team, summarized the night bluntly: “We just didn’t do much.” Faded energy, missed chances, limited contact.
Despite disappointment, perspective matters. 92 wins indicate solid progress, showing that Chicago is once again developing something special. The young core talent demonstrated real promise.
Still, October reveals weaknesses that success can conceal. The Cubs’ bullpen is overworked, the rotation is depleted, and clutch hitting has vanished. For this team to advance, their depth must significantly improve.ally improve.
Losing to a divisional rival hurts, but it can also serve as motivation. The Cubs demonstrated they should be back in the hunt; now they must strengthen their roster with reliable finishers.
Chicago’s front office now faces an offseason of tough decisions; cut or sign. Pitching reinforcements and contract hitters are priorities.
Tough times for Chicago fans. I really thought the Cubs were going to keep the momentum going after coming back from the 2-0 deficit. Even Suzuki’s HR should’ve gotten the team fired up, but they just got stale. As a true Chicago fan, my job is to just hate on the Brewers and pray that the Dodgers sweep them in an extremely embarrassing fashion. The Cubs will be back next year.
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