MLB playoffs 2025: Chicago Cubs, outclassed by the Brewers again in NLDS Game 2, face elimination at home as series moves to Wrigley Field

MILWAUKEE — Pete Crow-Armstrong crashing into the center-field wall as Jackson Chourioâ€s three-run homer rattled off the batterâ€s eye in center field felt awfully symbolic. In terms of both the game and the season for the Cubs.

As a roar began to swell from the American Family Field crowd, much like in Game 1 of the NLDS, the Brewers were running away with it. But Chourioâ€s home run on Monday in Game 2 was not only a dagger in the Cubs†7-3 loss to Milwaukee. It also had the feeling of being a dagger in this series and the Cubs†hopes for October, with the Brewers pushing Chicago to the brink of elimination.

Advertisement

“I ruined the game,†Cubs starter Shota Imanaga said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry after allowing two homers in just 2 2/3 innings as Chicago fell into an 0-2 hole. “Thereâ€s a lot of frustration within myself.â€

The Cubs had every reason to look at Game 2 as a must-win contest. They needed to slow Milwaukeeâ€s momentum in the series and create some of their own going into Game 3 on Wednesday at Wrigley Field. And after they got just two outs from starter Matthew Boyd in Game 1, they needed a strong start from Imanaga to do that.

Handed a three-run lead thanks to a first-inning blast from Seiya Suzuki before he even took the mound, things were set up for the Cubs†southpaw to thrive. Instead, after he struck out the first two Milwaukee batters, things quickly began to unravel. Back-to-back singles from William Contreras and Christian Yelich set the table for Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn, whose towering, three-run blast instantly erased the Cubs†lead.

Advertisement

“I was just trying to keep the momentum going, have a team at-bat there,†Vaughn said postgame. “I was able to hit a pitch I could drive, and definitely a big moment there, and the momentum swing — that was huge.â€

With the early lead gone, that swing felt like the beginning of the end for the Cubs†lefty.

More bad outcomes for Imanaga came in the third inning, thanks to Brewers catcher William Contreras. The 27-year-old took a 91-mph fastball from Imanaga and deposited it into the second deck to break the tie and give Milwaukee a 4-3 lead it wouldnâ€t relinquish.

The long ball has been the Achilles†heel all year for Imanaga, who finished the regular season with a 3.73 ERA in 144 â…” innings. In fact, Mondayâ€s outing marked the 11th consecutive start in which he has allowed a home run. Across that span, he has surrendered a total of 18 homers, including the pair in Game 2.

Advertisement

“After each time [Iâ€ve given up a home run], Iâ€ve talked with the pitching coaches, just trying to figure out a way to prevent that,†Imanaga said. “Good pitches, bad pitches — I feel like I need to have confidence to throw strikes in the zone.â€

Imanaga was on the front lines of this losing battle, but the reality of the NLDS thus far is that Chicago has been completely outclassed through the first two games. Simply put, the Brewers look like the better team. Their offense looks better than the Cubs†offense. Their pitching looks better than the Cubs†pitching. Their defense looks better than the Cubs†defense. And their manager looks better than the Cubs†manager.

[Get more Chicago news: Cubs team feed]

That theme isnâ€t new in the postseason.

Advertisement

Throughout the 2025 regular season, when the Cubs were good, Milwaukee found a way to be great. The Cubs went on a first-half tear, with their offense carrying them to a lead in the NL Central. But Milwaukee didnâ€t flinch, going on a 14-game winning streak in August and flying past the Cubs en route to their second consecutive division title.

And when the Cubs needed to be at their best on Monday to even the NLDS and regain some swagger before going back to Chicago, the Brewers, once again, were better all-around.

“Itâ€s our job to execute,†Crow-Armstrong said. “I know I havenâ€t done that. … I think itâ€s a pretty simple idea here. If we put more balls in play, weâ€ll probably score more runs.â€

Milwaukee isnâ€t a team known for its slugging, ranking just 22nd this season in homers. The Cubs, on the other hand, finished the season sixth in MLB in that category. Yet in the 7-3 Game 2 loss, in which all seven Brewers runs came via the long ball, Milwaukee even found a way to outshine Chicago in that category.

Advertisement

“We made a couple mistakes with multiple runners on base,†Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “After getting off to a great start, those mistakes with two three-run homers — you’re not going to win playoff games giving up two three-run homers. That was just too much to overcome.â€

Indeed, the Cubs now have their backs completely against the wall as they look to bounce back against their division rivals. It will be an uphill battle. In MLB postseason history, teams that took a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five series have won the series 80 of 90 times.

With the season on the line, Chicago will send right-hander Jameson Taillon to the mound in Game 3. Taillon pitched four scoreless innings in the Cubs†series-clinching victory over San Diego, but since then, the Cubs†starting rotation hasnâ€t done them many favors.

Then again, neither has the offense. Through five postseason games, the Cubs have scored a total of 12 runs. They had four hits Monday. Through two games of the NLDS, theyâ€ve been outscored by Milwaukee 16-6.

Advertisement

“We had two at-bats with runners in scoring position today,†Counsell conceded postgame. “Thatâ€s a pretty good sign weâ€re not creating enough pressure. We had one hit after the second inning.â€

Despite a somber atmosphere following what felt like a gut punch of a game, the players in the Cubs’ clubhouse still have confidence that their luck can change as the series moves to Wrigley Field.

“Bringing the game home and the fans, players, everybody moving as one unit and playing together, I think we can stack wins,†Suzuki said.

Only time will tell if that belief can turn into anything more than wishful thinking.

Advertisement

“Iâ€d be a fool to be here and not think [we could come back],†Crow-Armstrong said. “Thatâ€s why weâ€re here.â€

Source link