An eight-game lead for the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central feels like a mountain for the Chicago Cubs right now, especially after their bullpen looked like straight-up crap, giving up 10 runs to the Cincinnati Reds just a few days ago. The Brewers are heading into a wild two-week stretch that starts Monday, August 31, visiting Wrigley Field for four games, then hitting the road for the Reds, and then back home for both Chicago and Cincinnati. This is the moment they can basically slam the door shut on Chicago’s hopes.
Cubs’ Bullpen Nightmare and Fading Hope
Gordon Wittenmyer, who covers the Reds but knows the Cubs inside and out from his old beat and the Cubs ReKap podcast, dropped some serious truth bombs. He said they did make some good moves at the trade deadline, making that rotation look strong and deep. But the bullpen? Yikes. He flat out said it “looked like crap” against the Reds on August 28, a Reds team that’s near the bottom in almost every offensive category. Ten runs, man! That’s not a good look, especially coming off a tough series in Arizona and another loss to Cincy. No good vibes in Chicago right now, even if they’re still in a playoff spot. Those dreams of actually *catching* the Brewers? Nah, that’s not happening anymore.
October Showdown Keys for Both Sides
So, if these two somehow meet in October, what’s the deal? Wittenmyer pointed out that Dansby Swanson, their Gold Glove shortstop, is missing right now but should be back by then. Right now, they’ve got Nico Hoerner, a Gold Glove second baseman, playing short. Still, their defense is one of the best in baseball, and their starting rotation is way better than it was in the first half. Add Swanson back into that, and their lineup is one of the league’s best. But it always comes back to that bullpen, doesn’t it? For the Brewers, though, everything hinges on Jacob Misiorwoski in a potential playoff series. If you’ve got to win that game. If someone steals the Misiorwoski game and you’re up against aces like Cristopher Sánchez and Zack Wheeler from Philly, or even Clay Holmes and Matt Boyd, you’re losing that series. It’s that simple.
This isn’t just another road trip for the Brewers, man. Starting Monday, August 31, they’re at Wrigley for four games, and then the Reds. This entire two-week round-robin is the ultimate test. They’ve got that eight-game cushion, but a stumble here, especially against a Cubs team that *could* be dangerous if their bullpen ever figured it out, could make things interesting. But for now, it’s the Brewers’ world and the Cubs are just trying to survive it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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