Milwaukee — Kevin Gausman’s time with the Chicago Cubs has been marked by inconsistency. This season, he has occasionally demonstrated the skills that prompted the Cubs to acquire him, aiming to improve their rotation. Yet, moments like those at American Family Field have highlighted his challenges in providing competitive starts. On Wednesday night, the Milwaukee Brewers scored seven runs (six earned) against Gausman, who put the Cubs in a problematic six-run deficit after two innings. Despite a spirited five-run comeback in the ninth inning bringing the tying run to the plate, the Cubs fell short, losing 8-6 and being swept by the Brewers.
“We’re not playing good enough,” manager Craig Counsell said. “There are areas we need to improve on. We had a defensive mistake resulting in a run and a few bullpen issues. We must do more collectively to win games.”
Of his seven starts with the Cubs, Gausman has given up five or more earned runs in three of them but managed to post three quality starts in others. In the first inning, Christian Yelich hit a three-run home run off a fastball. Jackson Chourio (solo) and William Contreras (two-run home run) followed with homers off splitters in the second inning.
“I need to pitch better, it comes down to execution,” Gausman stated. “I can’t throw lazy splitters; they get hit hard. When I make good pitches, I perform well, and when I don’t, I struggle. While I wished to win this game, the result was disappointing.”
The Cubs (81-66) face Thursday’s off day aiming for a regroup amid a four-game losing streak. Less than a month ago, their playoff position seemed secure. On August 12, the day before the Philadelphia Phillies began their nine-game winning streak, the Cubs were 7 1/2 games ahead in a playoff spot and led the San Diego Padres by 6 1/2 games for the National League’s first wild-card position. Fast forward to Wednesday, following the Brewers’ sweep: the Cubs face Thursday clinging to their playoff hopes, positioned in the second wild-card spot, trailing the Phillies by 1 1/2 games and ahead of the Padres by only 2 1/2 games, now in the last spot. Despite losing 16 of their last 26 games, the Cubs hold season tiebreakers over the Phillies, Padres, and Diamondbacks.
Counsell stated, “Our job is to win games; that’s within our control. Our decisions are made during the game. External league happenings don’t assist us. We know the standings.”
With only 15 games remaining in the regular season and two of their five series against playoff-positioned teams, the Cubs can’t allow this rough stretch to undermine their previously steady performance.
“Clearly not the series result we desired,” Ian Happ said. “We’re placed where our destiny is within our control. Our objective is to play playoff baseball, providing ourselves with an opportunity. We have roughly two weeks to make a push and finish strong.”
Cubs Bullpen Needs Rapid Improvement
Lately, Counsell’s bullpen choices have struggled in pivotal moments. Veteran right-hander Jacob Webb has blown three games since his two-month scoreless streak ended in Seattle late August. Webb’s struggles, Daniel Palencia’s reduced velocity and struggles since returning from the injured list, Ryan Zeferjahn’s inconsistency, and overall bullpen issues have placed the Cubs in a tough position. The bullpen holds a 5.08 ERA, ranking 24th in MLB, and a 30th-ranked -0.7 fWAR since August 21. Urgency accompanies these issues in mid-September compared to an early-season phase aimed at optimal reliever deployment.
“Each day is much the same, and we’ve faced a situation this year lacking defined roles for most of the season,” Counsell explained. “Jacob certainly deserved his opportunity. He pitched wonderfully and claimed crucial outs for much of the season. Yet, we have not instituted any typical bullpen roles throughout. Nothing changes here.”
In Monday’s game, pushing starter Matthew Boyd deeper into the eighth inning did not yield a pitcher recording an eighth-inning out. On Tuesday, the bullpen covered more innings as David Peterson grappled with first five-inning traffic. Both strategies ended in losses due to closing struggles.
Home Runs Plague Cubs Pitching Staff
The Cubs are risking a statistical record they would prefer to avoid. Holding the league’s best offense and leading in home runs (203), their pitching staff has allowed the most home runs (221). Gausman added to this tally with three home runs allowed Wednesday. Prominent home run struggles among Cubs pitchers have captured the front office’s attention, especially considering late leads they’ve relinquished.
“Recently, we’ve both hit and given up a lot of homers — working on reducing them is crucial,” president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer commented last week. “The home run issue challenges us, impacting both current and future operations.”
Despite possessing sinkerballers Clay Holmes and Peterson, aligned with Gausman’s splitter-fastball potential for groundball outs, long balls detract from the possibility for elite defensive highlights.
“We trust in our team,” Gausman stated. “There’s no room to mourn over setbacks.”