Cubs' NLDS Exit: A Season's End and a New Beginning
The Cubs' season-ending loss to the Brewers in the NL Division Series was a gut-wrenching conclusion to a campaign that promised so much. Despite a strong start, the Cubs fell short, finishing behind the Brewers in the NL Central for the second consecutive year. This loss, however, offers valuable lessons for the team's future.
The Bitter End
The Cubs' season-ending loss to the Brewers was a stark reminder of the team's challenges. Despite a smaller budget and fewer resources, the Brewers continued to outperform expectations, even with their manager joining the rival team. This loss felt especially bitter as it came against the team that had become the standard in the division.
The Cubs' season ended in Milwaukee in 2023, and they finished behind the Brewers in the NL Central for the second consecutive season in 2024. This year, they had a chance to overtake the Brewers, but they fell short, losing to them in the teams' first postseason meeting.
The addition of Kyle Tucker last winter was intended to bolster the lineup, but he went 0-for-4 in the loss, raising questions about his future with the team. The offense, which was among the best in baseball in the first half, struggled to score in a crucial game, managing only one run.
Bullpen Day
Cubs manager Craig Counsell's strategy for the game was clear: utilize the bullpen to their advantage. He stated, 'This is a game where we're going to have everybody available.' However, the bullpen's performance fell short on a day when every margin mattered.
Drew Pomeranz started the game, but gave up a solo home run to William Contreras, sending the crowd into a roar. Seiya Suzuki's solo homer in the second inning evened the score, leading to Counsell's decision to turn to Colin Rea as his bulk option.
Rea pitched two scoreless innings and picked up two outs in the fourth, but left a full-count cutter, allowing Andrew Vaughn to hit a go-ahead homer. The bullpen's performance, while solid, couldn't prevent the Cubs from falling short.
Missed Opportunity
The Cubs' strategy for applying pressure offensively was clear, but they failed to execute it effectively. Counsell emphasized the importance of chaos in bullpen games, stating, 'blowing up the plan as much as you can and try to introduce some chaos to that plan is offensively how you can derail it.'
In the sixth inning, the Cubs had a chance to create chaos. Michael Busch hit a lead-off single, and Nico Hoerner was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for the heart of the lineup. However, the Cubs couldn't capitalize, as they mustered only four hits and failed to put pressure on the Brewers.
The Cubs' playoff performance with runners in scoring position was a stark reminder of their struggles. They finished 5-for-40 (.125) in such situations, proving that this was not a recipe for success.
Despite the bitter end, the Cubs can take valuable lessons from this season. They must continue to work hard, adapt their strategies, and strive to become the team that overcomes challenges and achieves greatness.
 (Amazon Alexa))