When the season began, the Chicago Cubs looked poised to reclaim respect in the National League, fueled by breakout stars and a lineup brimming with hope. But as weeks turned into August, optimism morphed into frustration, and even Craig Counsell couldn’t ignore the glaring flaws. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers have turned every weakness into a spectacle of dominance, leaving the Cubs—and anyone dreaming of slowing them down — scrambling in disbelief. In baseball, sometimes talent isn’t enough; timing and magic do the heavy lifting.
Every team hits a slump at some point in the season, but it is important to get out of it fast, or you could get lost in a maze. That is what is happening for many teams like the Mets, the Yankees, and the Chicago Cubs. This fall of the Cubs needs to be studied because it has made even the manager give up.
In a recent post by the Marquee Sports Network, Craig Counsell spoke about the season the Cubs are having. Counsell said, “I mean, well, the job is to try to win the division. That’s kind of the ultimate goal. They’re making that difficult. So, guess from that perspective, yeah. I mean, they’re making that part of the goal really hard to get to.” This is not giving up, but it does feel like the team is losing hope.
The Chicago Cubs started the 2025 season with optimism, blazing through their toughest early schedule confidently. Led by breakout stars Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki, the lineup combined speed, power, and intelligent hitting. Their early success included wins over elite teams, showcasing resilience in Tokyo, Wrigley, and other challenging ballparks. Cubs fans finally felt a sense of hope, imagining a return to postseason contention after previous disappointing seasons.
However, by August, the Cubs fell into a prolonged slump, mirroring struggles across most of their lineup. Crow-Armstrong went 3-for-37 in the month, striking out fourteen times and recording zero RBIs. Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki also cooled off dramatically, leaving Chicago’s offense ineffective and stagnant in crucial situations. The team’s inability to generate consistent runs has left frustration high, with nine straight missed comeback opportunities in games.
“The job is to try to win the division … they’re making that very difficult.”
Craig Counsell on the division race with the Brewers. pic.twitter.com/BWK5bG3J1g
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 16, 2025
Injuries and bullpen inefficiency worsened the Cubs’ troubles, with Justin Steele recovering from surgery, Assad reinjuring his oblique. Third base remained unstable, as Matt Shaw and Gage Workman struggled to provide reliable defensive contributions when needed. Despite solid starting pitching, the Cubs’ inability to capitalize offensively has kept them trailing elite teams in the standings. Even with a wild-card position still possible, their chances of overtaking the division-leading Brewers appear increasingly slim.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers have astonished the baseball world, dominating with a .765 winning percentage since late May, when they were 25-28. The franchise has won 11 games in a row since its loss on July 5th, and are 28-4, as well as 52-16 since May. No team, including the Dodgers, has challenged Milwaukee; who boast an approximately +161 run differential and historic winning streaks. The Brewers’ roster blends overlooked talent, prospects, and timely performances, thriving with extraordinary luck and skill simultaneously. Their consistent comebacks, strategic hitting, and pitching depth make them the most formidable team in Major League Baseball today.
So if the Cubs thought early-season optimism could carry them through, Craig Counsell’s patience—and theirs—proves otherwise. Milwaukee’s brilliance has exposed Chicago’s cracks, turning a promising campaign into a cautionary tale for big-market dreams. With the Brewers orchestrating comebacks that defy logic, the Cubs now scramble, wondering if skill alone can ever compete with timing, luck, and sheer baseball audacity. In this race, Cubs fans might need binoculars just to watch Milwaukee cross the finish line.
The Cubs and losing, Crow Armstrong is struggling, but everything is fine?
The Chicago Cubs are masters of calm in the face of chaos, and why wouldn’t they be? After all, losing four of five series and watching Pete Crow-Armstrong’s MVP hopes stumble is just “part of the plan.” Fans may glimpse frustration in helmet tosses, bat slams, and missed opportunities, but the Cubs insist: nothing to see here. Just a team keeping its cool while chaos quietly brews at Wrigley Field.
The Chicago Cubs’ playoff aspirations remain intact despite recent struggles, with an approximate of 96.1% chance of postseason play. Manager Craig Counsell emphasizes focusing on consistent fundamentals rather than results, stating, “Consistency is something that we have to offer.” Pete Crow-Armstrong, with his .259 batting average, maintains a positive outlook, asserting: “It’s still a lot of time to begin to produce again.” His resilience reflects the team’s broader commitment to improvement.
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s recent performance highlights the Cubs’ offensive challenges, as he has not hit a home run since July 23rd. Despite these difficulties, he remains a key contributor, leading the team in doubles and bWAR. His defensive prowess and base-running skills continue to add value, underscoring his importance to the Cubs’ success. As the season progresses, both Crow-Armstrong and the team aim to overcome current obstacles and secure a playoff berth.
If the Cubs can navigate their self-inflicted chaos, maybe losing four of five series is just advanced strategy. Pete Crow-Armstrong’s struggles are less a collapse and more a masterclass in humility under pressure. Wrigley Field may echo with boos, but the team’s playoff odds insist on optimism. In the end, the Cubs aren’t panicking — they’re perfecting the art of looking composed while chaos quietly unfolds.
The post Craig Counsell Finally Gives Up on Struggling Cubs as Brewers Move to Crush Big-Market Dreams, Including Dodgers appeared first on EssentiallySports.