The silence at American Family Field was deafening, but only if you were wearing blue. For everyone else in Milwaukee, it was pure, unadulterated chaos. Honestly, if you’re a fan, the Chicago Cubs last game wasn’t just a loss; it was a slow-motion car crash that ended a season which, for a few months there, felt like 2016 all over again.
On October 11, 2025, the Cubs fell 3-1 to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 5 of the National League Division Series. One game. That’s all that stood between Craig Counsell’s squad and a trip to the NLCS. Instead, the North Siders headed back to Clark and Addison to pack their lockers, leaving fans to wonder how a 92-win team with the best Wild Card record in the league let it slip away.
The Gritty Details of the Chicago Cubs Last Game
Let’s talk about the actual "how" of it. It wasn’t a blowout. Those are almost easier to swallow because you can just check out by the fifth inning. This was a 1-1 tie that felt like a heavyweight fight until the late rounds.
Justin Steele was on the mound, and he looked like the ace everyone needed him to be. He labored, sure, but he gutted out four innings, giving up only two runs. You’ve got to admire that kind of grit in a winner-take-all scenario. The problem wasn't the starting pitching; it was the bats. Or, more accurately, the lack of them.
The Cubs managed only six hits the entire night. Six. In the most important game of the decade for this franchise. Seiya Suzuki provided the only real spark with a solo home run in the fifth inning that tied the game and briefly made everyone in Chicago believe the "Counsell Magic" was real. But the Brewers' pitching staff turned into a brick wall after that.
Why the Bullpen Couldn't Hold On
When you get to a Game 5, your bullpen is basically held together by athletic tape and prayer. Colin Rea, who had been a savior for much of the regular season, came on in relief but eventually surrendered the go-ahead run.
- The Velocity Dip: You could see the fatigue. Rea’s sinker didn't have that late life we saw in July.
- The Lineup Chess Match: Craig Counsell was playing 4D chess against his former team, but the Brewers' Pat Murphy seemed to have the cheat codes.
- RISP Failures: The Cubs left eight runners on base. You simply cannot do that in October.
Basically, the Cubs had multiple chances to break the game open. Pete Crow-Armstrong, who had a historic 30-30-30 season (30 homers, 30 doubles, 30 steals), just couldn't find the gap when it mattered most. It’s a cruel ending for a kid who was the heartbeat of the team all summer.
Looking Back: Was the 2025 Season a Success?
It’s easy to be cynical when the last memory is a loss in Milwaukee. But before the Chicago Cubs last game, this team was actually fun. They won 92 games. They finished second in the NL Central. They even beat the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series, which was their first playoff series win since 2017.
Nico Hoerner was a vacuum at second base, hitting .297 and providing that veteran stability. Michael Busch emerged as a legitimate power threat, leading the team with 34 home runs. When you look at the stats, this was a top-tier roster.
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The sting comes from the fact that they were right there. They had the Brewers on the ropes after Matthew Boyd’s brilliant redemption start in Game 4, which forced this final showdown. But in baseball, sometimes the better team over 162 games doesn't win the one game that decides it all.
The Alex Bregman Factor and 2026
Even though the 2025 campaign ended in heartbreak, the front office isn't sitting still. Literally days ago, in mid-January 2026, the Cubs made a massive splash by signing Alex Bregman to a 5-year, $175 million deal.
That move tells you everything you need to know. Jed Hoyer isn't interested in "moral victories" from last season. He wants to ensure that the next time the Cubs are in a Game 5, they have a two-time World Series champion standing at third base.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Loss
Social media was a dumpster fire after the game. People blamed the manager. People blamed the "Counsell Curse." Kinda ridiculous, right?
The truth is more boring: the Brewers were a 97-win team for a reason. They had home-field advantage because they were more consistent in June and July. If the Cubs hadn't stumbled through a 2-for-8 stretch in late September, maybe Game 5 is at Wrigley Field. And at Wrigley, with that crowd? That's a different game.
Actionable Takeaways for the Offseason
If you’re still mourning the Chicago Cubs last game, here is how to pivot your focus toward the 2026 season:
- Watch the Prospect Pipeline: Keep an eye on the kids coming up from Iowa. The Bregman signing moves some pieces around, which might open up a spot for more speed on the bench.
- Rotation Health: The 2025 collapse was partly due to a tired rotation. Watch for the Cubs to monitor Justin Steele's innings early in 2026 to keep him fresh for October.
- Spring Training Countdown: The first game of 2026 is March 26 against the Nationals. That's the real "cure" for a playoff loss.
The 2025 season proved the Cubs are back in the conversation of elite NL teams. It didn't end with a parade, but the foundation is solid. The loss in Milwaukee was a lesson in the margins—how one hit, one relief appearance, or one home-field advantage can change history. Now, with Bregman in the fold and a young core that's finally tasted playoff pressure, the goal for 2026 isn't just getting back to Game 5. It's making sure that game never happens because they've already swept the series.