Cubs' offense outclassed in Game 1 of National League Division Series
This National League Division Series hinges on the Cubs’ offense.
Given that left-handers Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga look shaky and right-hander Cade Horton is injured, the offense might have to carry the Cubs if they hope to go further in the playoffs. The offense was a no-show in Saturday’s 9-3 loss in Game 1.
The Brewers aren’t seen as this high-scoring team with a ton of slug in their lineup — they finished 22nd in the majors in homers, relying on contact to score runs — but they do a good job of finding the gaps and taking the extra base with their speed.
The Cubs always talk about putting pressure on opposing pitchers, yet the team didn’t do so Saturday. They had six hits — three of which came on solo homers by first baseman
Designated hitter Kyle Tucker was 0-for-3, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was 1-for-4 and right fielder
“Getting down early and fast like that, it can be hard to put some pressure back on someone,” shortstop Dansby Swanson said. “But at the end of the day, it’s a complete team effort to be in on both sides.”
With three 30-homer players on the roster, the Cubs have the power necessary to win in the postseason. But they need to do a better job of getting more traffic on the bases. Solo homers aren’t going to beat a Brewers team that was 7-for-17 with runners in scoring position.
The Cubs had just two players in scoring position, and one of those came in the ninth when the game was out of reach.
In the regular season, the Cubs outhomered the Brewers 223-166. But the Brewers finished with 13 more runs than the Cubs, a testament to their ability to string together hits.
Resiliency is a strength of the Cubs’ lineup, and they’ll need that trait to bounce back from Saturday’s loss.
“The beauty of the playoffs is that one game counts as one game,” Swanson said.
Chourio injured
Outfielder Jackson Chourio left the game with tightness in his right hamstring after running out an RBI single that gave the Brewers a 9-1 lead in the second inning. Pinch runner
Chourio missed a month earlier this season with the same injury, which he also suffered against the Cubs. He was 3-for-3 with three RBI on Saturday.
“It’s really scary,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “We’re hoping that it’s something he can come back from soon. Could be devastating.”
Chourio, however, said that he felt good and that the injury was frustrating. He said his exiting the game was “a little bit precautionary.”
“Compared to the last time that this happened, I feel like I’m in a very good position,” Chourio said.
Tucker update
Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Tucker is “getting close” to returning to the field after suffering a strained calf against the Braves on Sept. 2.
Since returning on Sept. 27, Tucker has only occupied the DH spot in the lineup.
San Francisco 49ers Linked to Shocking Mac Jones Trade
The San Francisco 49ers came into the 2025 NFL season looking to bounce back after an injury-riddled season forced them to miss the playoffs a year ago. Unfortunately, the current year has started off the same way that last season went.
Already, the 49ers have seen a number of players forced to miss time. Brock Purdy and George Kittle have both missed game action, while Nick Bosa has been ruled out for the season due to a torn ACL. Other injuries have popped up as well and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has not yet returned to the field from last year’s injury.
Despite the injury problems, especially to Purdy, San Francisco has found a way to continue to win. Mac Jones has been a big part of the team’s early-season success.
Through the first five weeks of the year, the 49ers hold a 4-1 record. Jones has stepped in and looked the part of a legitimate starting NFL quarterback in Purdy’s place.
Jones has completed 66.7 percent of his pass attempts for 905 yards, six touchdowns, and an interception. His production has caused some question about whether or not he could remain San Francisco’s starter even when Purdy is able to get back on the field.
With that being said, trade speculation has started to pop up surrounding the 27-year-old quarterback. There are a few teams around the NFL who still need to find a long-term starter. A new trade idea has been suggested that would see the 49ers send Jones out of town.
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports has suggested a trade between San Francisco and the New York Jets. His trade idea would have Jones being traded to the Jets in exchange for Tyrod Taylor and a 2026 fourth-round pick.
If the 49ers are 100 percent committed to Purdy, which seems likely after the contract they gave him, adding Taylor as a backup and bringing in an extra fourth-round pick could make sense. For New York, Jones could be a long-term starting quarterback on a team that has badly needed to find one.
On the outside looking in, the deal could make sense for both sides.
However, there is no guarantee for San Francisco that Purdy will be able to stay healthy this season. Jones has played at an extremely high level in his first year with the 49ers and it seems incredibly unlikely that they would consider moving him right now.
