The Chicago Cubs’ 2025 season ended in heartbreak on Saturday night — and yet, beneath the sting of elimination, there was unmistakable pride.
Falling 3–1 to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 5 of the NLDS, the Cubs’ postseason run came to a close after an inspiring stretch that reignited hope throughout Wrigleyville. For a team that exceeded expectations, won 92 games, and pushed one of baseball’s best squads to the brink, this was less an ending and more a beginning.
“We know how much this team and this city care about winning,” said outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, fighting back emotion after the game. “We owe more playoff baseball to this fan base — they’ve supported us through everything, and they deserve more. It’s tough now, but we’ll use this pain to drive us and come back stronger next year.”
A Season of Growth and Grit
The Cubs entered 2025 as underdogs — a young, hungry roster led by first-year manager Craig Counsell, trying to build something lasting. What they achieved was far beyond expectations: a wild-card series win over the Padres, a comeback from a 0–2 deficit in the NLDS, and a renewed sense of identity built on resilience.
But on Saturday, the bats went quiet again. Chicago went just 5-for-40 with runners in scoring position across the series, and despite strong pitching, the clutch hits never came.
“We didn’t get it done today, and that hurts,” Counsell admitted. “It doesn’t feel good, but when you zoom out a little, we did a lot of good things. I’m disappointed, I’m sad — but I think this team did a lot to honor the Chicago Cubs uniform.”
Leaders Finding Their Voice
At just 23 years old, Crow-Armstrong has already emerged as a clubhouse cornerstone — not just for his defense and speed, but for his fire. His message resonated with teammates who share the pain of falling short but see a clearer path ahead.
Left-hander Matthew Boyd, who earned redemption with a dominant Game 4 performance, echoed that sentiment:
“When you get to put on those pinstripes, it’s really special,” Boyd said. “We gave it everything we got. We’re going to use that experience to get to where we want to go next year and do everything we can to avoid this feeling next season.
Starter Shota Imanaga, who struggled through the series, found motivation in defeat.
“Feel that pain and carry it into the offseason,” Imanaga said. “That’s how you build into a better player.”
The Road Ahead
Even as Wrigley Field fell silent Saturday night, fans stayed to applaud the team that brought October baseball back to Chicago. Crow-Armstrong took a moment to look up into the stands — his voice cracking when describing the experience.
“Those were two of the best games of my life,” he said. “More motivation to do it year in and year out.”
This season may have ended sooner than the Cubs hoped, but their message to fans is unmistakable: this is only the beginning.
As Counsell put it best — and as Crow-Armstrong embodied — the pain of this loss isn’t the end of something. It’s the foundation of what’s next.
“We owe more playoff baseball to this fan base,” Crow-Armstrong said again before walking off. “And that’s exactly what we’re going to give them.”
