Cubs vs. Brewers Series Recap: Cubs Roar Back After Friday's Heartbreaker

The Leadoff Man

Hey Cubs fans, it's time for a fresh take! This weekend was a test to rejuvenate the team and relieve any fan fatigue that might have set in. With a comprehensive series review, we'll show you how the Cubs turned Friday's tough loss into back-to-back wins on Saturday and Sunday. From resilient pitching to clutch offensive moments, the Cubs had all the right ingredients to secure this crucial series victory over the Brewers.

We also created a Bar Chart Race to show the Chicago Cubs' 2023 OPS Race, highlighting the team’s offensive leaders over the season. Watch it here to see who led the pack in 2023. Stay tuned for the 2024 version, and keep sharing this newsletter with your fellow fans. Let's get ready for another exciting season with our Cubs charging ahead!

Friday Heartbreaking Loss 3-1

Friday's Game: Cubs Suffer Late-Inning Collapse

The Cubs started the weekend series against the Brewers with a hard-fought battle on Friday. Hayden Wesneski showcased his brilliance on the mound, going 6.1 innings with eight strikeouts while allowing only three hits. The right-hander looked in control, and Christopher Morel's solo shot to center in the sixth inning gave the Cubs a slim 1-0 lead. With the bullpen taking over, hopes were high for a clean closeout. But Adbert Alzolay couldn't hold back the Brewers in the eighth. His struggles on the mound allowed three crucial runs, flipping the game on its head. Despite some promising moments, like Wesneski's dominance and Morel's power, the Cubs lost their footing, falling 3-1 to Milwaukee in a disappointing finish.

Cubs Power Back on Saturday winning 6-5

Cubs Offense Ignites Early

On Saturday, the Cubs’ bats came out swinging to erase the sting of the previous loss. Nico Hoerner set the tone with a first-inning home run, sending Wrigley into a frenzy. By the third inning, Christopher Morel added a two-run blast, and Patrick Wisdom chimed in with a solo shot in the sixth to give Chicago a comfortable 5-0 lead. Jameson Taillon complemented the offensive explosion with six innings of precision pitching, striking out seven and limiting the Brewers to just two hits. Milwaukee rallied back against the Cubs’ bullpen, reducing the lead to 5-4 in the eighth. But Mark Leiter Jr. steadied the ship, and Hector Neris closed out the ninth to secure a narrow 6-5 victory. Despite the late scare, the Cubs showed they could withstand pressure and clinch a crucial win.

Sunday Afternoon Shutout Win 5-0

Swanson and Assad Shine as the Cubs win a game that puts them in a tie with Milwaukee for 1st place in the NL Central.

Sunday brought Dansby Swanson’s electrifying performance to the forefront, both offensively and defensively. The Cubs shortstop delivered a pivotal home run in the sixth to extend Chicago’s lead to 4-0. His glovework at shortstop was equally impressive, making key plays to thwart any Milwaukee rally. Meanwhile, Javier Assad dominated on the mound, scattering four hits over six innings while striking out four. Nico Hoerner’s two-run double and Christopher Morel’s RBI single put the finishing touches on a 5-0 victory that capped off the weekend series in style. The Cubs' all-around performance reflected a team finding its rhythm and cruising towards victory.

The Closer

After a strong series against the Brewers, the Cubs will host the Padres for a three-game set at Wrigley Field. The rotation matchups are sure to draw plenty of attention, especially with the return of Justin Steele on Monday, who will face off against former Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish. Steele, who has been stellar with a 1.93 ERA, will be crucial in setting the tone for the series.

On Tuesday, Shota Imanaga will make his first start against the Padres, bringing his undefeated record and dazzling 0.78 ERA to the mound against Joe Musgrove, who’s had an up-and-down season with a 6.37 ERA. The Cubs' offense will look to maintain their momentum while Imanaga aims to continue his winning ways.

Wednesday’s finale pits Hayden Wesneski against Dylan Cease. Wesneski, despite Friday’s hiccup, has been solid this season with a 0.54 ERA, but he will have his work cut out for him against a potent Padres lineup that recently added Luis Arraez. Cease, familiar to the Cubs from their April 10 matchup, will look to keep the Cubs' bats quiet this time.

Don't miss this thrilling series, and share the newsletter with your fellow Cubs fans