MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Cubs faced a tough night at American Family Field on July 29, 2025, as they fell 9-3 to the Milwaukee Brewers in a game marked by defensive lapses, pitching struggles, and missed opportunities at the plate. The loss deepened the Cubs’ deficit in the National League Central division, as the Brewers continued their hot streak, and the Cubs now look ahead to a pivotal series finale and the looming trade deadline.
The Cubs entered this series tied with the Brewers for the best record in the National League, but back-to-back losses — including an 8-4 defeat on July 28 — have left Chicago trailing Milwaukee in the division race. The Brewers, riding a 17-6 record in July following a strong 16-9 June, seem poised to claim their third consecutive NL Central banner, while the Cubs have hovered around .500 in the same period, going 13-10 this month after a balanced June.
Tuesday night’s game was a clear example of how the Cubs’ usually reliable defense and pitching faltered at a critical moment. The team committed three errors, two of which directly led to Brewers runs, a rarity for a squad that boasts one of the league’s top defensive rankings. Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was at the center of the defensive breakdowns, making two surprising misplays in the fifth inning alone. One of those errors came on a deep fly ball from Christian Yelich, which Crow-Armstrong initially tracked but then misjudged, allowing the ball to bounce off the wall and setting up a leadoff triple for Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio.
Chourio, who had been a consistent offensive force with hits in 21 of his last 22 games, pushed hard for extra bases but was forced to exit the game shortly after due to a right hamstring spasm. After sprinting to third base on the triple, Chourio appeared to experience discomfort, describing the sensation as a "little tickle" that developed into a cramp. Brewers manager Pat Murphy refrained from speculating on the severity of the injury, but Chourio's early exit was a blow to Milwaukee’s lineup.
Despite Chourio's injury, the Brewers capitalized on the Cubs’ miscues. Starter Collin Rea struggled to find his rhythm, surrendering four runs on eight hits over four-plus innings. His rough outing included allowing an RBI double to William Contreras, further tilting momentum in Milwaukee’s favor. The Brewers orchestrated a decisive three-run rally in the fifth inning, with the Cubs cycling through three pitchers — Rea, Drew Pomeranz, and Ryan Brasier — in an attempt to stem the tide.
Adding to the Cubs’ woes, second baseman Nico Hoerner made an uncharacteristic error in the sixth inning, dropping a routine line drive as he prematurely started his transfer. This mistake set the stage for an Andrew Vaughn grand slam off Cubs reliever Ryan Pressly, which effectively put the game out of reach. Hoerner acknowledged the rarity of such an error, saying, "I don’t think you’re going to have another game this year where Pete and I both drop balls... Doesn’t make it any easier today, but we’ll be ready to go tomorrow." Manager Craig Counsell echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the uncharacteristic nature of the defensive lapses: "This is not a character game defensively for us, 100%. We’ve created outs, and tonight we gave away some outs. We’ll get back to playing good defense, I’m sure of that."
Offensively, the Cubs had plenty of traffic on the basepaths but struggled to convert. They stranded eight runners and went just 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, a frustrating stat that compounded the damage done by their defensive and pitching struggles. Dansby Swanson’s strikeout with runners on second and third in the fourth inning and Seiya Suzuki’s inning-ending double play with a runner on third were key missed opportunities that underscored the Cubs’ inability to capitalize.
Adding to the team’s challenges, left fielder Ian Happ suffered an injury in the top of the eighth inning when a foul ball struck his left shin or ankle. Happ was helped off the field by Counsell and a trainer, and though his X-rays came back negative, he described his pain level as "not low." Despite the injury, Happ expressed hope about playing in the series finale, stating, "If I can’t walk tomorrow, we’ll know something’s wrong. But as long as I’m walking around, we’ll be alright." However, reports indicate that Happ is likely headed to the 10-day injured list, prompting the Cubs to recall catcher and designated hitter Moises Ballesteros from Triple-A Iowa as reinforcements.
Meanwhile, the Cubs made a roster move by designating right-hander Chris Flexen for assignment following his recent struggles. Flexen, who had a 7.95 ERA over his last five outings, had initially contributed significantly to the team with a stellar 0.62 ERA in his first 12 appearances. Manager Counsell acknowledged Flexen’s contributions, saying, "He’s contributed in some big ways to this team, and sometimes it doesn’t feel fair. We made a decision, we’ve got to move forward with it. But when somebody’s made that level of contribution, it’s certainly difficult." Reliever Gavin Hollowell was recalled and entered the game in the eighth inning, where after walking the first batter, he struck out the next three, providing a spark for the bullpen.
On the injury front, right-hander Jameson Taillon, sidelined with a strained right calf, threw a 40-pitch live batting practice session before the game and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on August 2. His return could bolster the Cubs’ pitching staff, which is expected to be a focus at the upcoming trade deadline on July 31.
The trade deadline looms large as the Cubs seek to bolster their roster, especially their starting rotation and offense. The team has been linked to potential acquisitions like Eugenio Suarez, who could add a needed spark to a lineup that has been one of the best in baseball this season but has recently struggled in clutch moments. The Cubs will return to Wrigley Field this weekend for a homestand, where they hope to regroup and continue their push for their first division title since 2017.
With five more games against the Brewers scheduled between July 30 and mid-August, the season's stakes couldn’t be higher. The Cubs have a chance to salvage the current series with Wednesday’s game in Milwaukee, but the pressure is mounting. As Nico Hoerner put it, "It is a unique time in the season, and fortunately, we play these guys again tomorrow and then again at home in a couple of weeks. So there’s plenty of opportunities, but it’s on us to seize them."
The Cubs’ recent struggles highlight the fine margins in a tight divisional race. Defensive miscues, missed hitting opportunities, and pitching inconsistencies have combined to stall their momentum against a surging Brewers squad. Yet, with the trade deadline approaching and reinforcements on the horizon, Chicago remains poised to fight back in what promises to be a thrilling stretch run.
