By
Andrew Wright is a Newsweek contributor based in Lancaster, South Carolina. His focus is MLB content. Andrew has been with Newsweek since April 1st and previously worked at Yardbarker, SEC Unfiltered and more. He is a graduate of Charleston Southern University.
You can get in touch with Andrew by emailing a.wright@newsweek.com or dew4417@icloud.com
Contributing Sports Writer
🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of what has the makings of being a second half collapse for the ages.
Jeff Le/Getty Images
Coming out of the All-Star break, Chicago sat 18 games above .500 and increased that margin to as much as 20 games over.
Since reaching a 59-39 mark, the Cubs have lost 11 of their last 19 games and entered Monday trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by six games in the National League Central.
A combination of things has led to what is an ice-cold stretch for Chicago but if there were one issue to focus on more than others, it would be the offense.
Led by Michael Busch, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs offense has been one of the best across MLB the entire season.
Tucker and Crow-Armstrong represented the team in the All-Star Game, and arguments could have been made for both Busch and Suzuki to be in the game as well.
Those four have gone cold in August, combining for just two home runs and seven RBI in nine games played.
Cubs power outage in August. PCA, Kyle Tucker ,Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch , combined 2 HR and 7 RBI. ( 9 games played in August)
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) August 11, 2025
Combine those struggles with the torrent run the Brewers are on and it makes sense as to why Chicago has fallen six games out of first place.
Crazy stat:
Since May 25, the Cubs have the 2nd-best record in the NL (5th in MLB).
They have lost 12 games in the standings to the #Brewers since that time.
— Tim Muma (@TimMumaMKE) August 10, 2025
The Cubs have six games (three versus Toronto, three versus Pittsburgh) this week before welcoming first-place Milwaukee to town for a five-game series beginning next Monday.
The NL Central showdown between the two teams could very much make or break the season for Chicago. It is of utter importance that not only the four players previously mentioned, but the rest of the Cubs lineup get rolling before their biggest series of the season.
More MLB: Red Sox Insider ‘Can’t See’ Team Allowing Garrett Crochet to Receive ‘Huge Honor’