Cubs still looking for answers vs. Crew

MILWAUKEE -- The Cubs arrived at American Family Field on Friday with the goal of giving the Brewers as tough a time as possible. A division crown is inevitable for Milwaukee, but Chicago hoped to delay the party.

"I don't think you ever really enjoy the division rival celebrating in front of you," Cubs manager David Ross said. "Is it really important? No, not in my book. I want us to play good baseball. It's a really good team. We'll try to play good baseball and give them a run for their money."

• Box score

The Cubs did that for seven frames, but the Brewers rallied late and dealt the North Siders an 8-5 loss in the opener of a three-game set. The win for Milwaukee trimmed its magic number for a postseason berth to two, meaning the Brewers could seal their spot on the October stage as early as Saturday.

The Brewers' magic number to clinch the National League Central is down to four with 15 games to play.

The defeat was Chicago’s 10th in a row against the Brewers, dating back to April 24. That extended the longest drought against Milwaukee in Cubs history -- a stretch in which Chicago has been outscored, 86-29.

The Cubs have come to terms with what looms.

"I'm pretty certain they're going to the playoffs and are going to win the division," Ross said. "I'm OK. I've swallowed that, and moved on past that."

The Cubs still have a chance to delay the Brewers' clinching celebration, and can have a hand in how the NL Wild Card picture shakes out.

At the moment, the Cardinals hold a one-game lead for the second Wild Card slot over the Reds. The Padres are 1 1/2 games back. Chicago takes on St. Louis seven more times down the stretch, including a four-game set at Wrigley Field next weekend.

A year ago, it was the Ross-led Cubs who were chasing down the Central title after missing the playoffs in 2019. Chicago was in first as late as June 24 this year, but an 11-game losing streak sent the club into a tailspin that led to a Trade Deadline dismantling.

In a way, Friday's loss was a microcosm of the season.

Back in that June 24 game in Los Angeles, righty Zach Davies worked the first six innings of a no-hitter. On Friday against the Brewers, Davies was perfect through three innings, but then the bottom fell out of his start, setting up the bullpen’s late collapse.

"I don't know that I've seen him that good in a long time," Ross said of Davies, who entered the night with an 8.73 ERA in his previous eight turns. "Just attacking the zone. It looked like he felt good with the fastball. He really came out."

Davies only recorded four more outs, but a four-run fourth by the Cubs’ offense, plus Frank Schwindel's latest home run an inning later, had Chicago clinging to a 5-4 lead in the eighth. Righty Rowan Wick -- with a 2.16 ERA going into the game -- labored with his command, and Milwaukee capitalized.

Old nemesis Lorenzo Cain pulled the contest into a 5-5 deadlock with an RBI single, and Kolten Wong put the Brewers ahead for good with a two-run single. It was more than enough for closer Josh Hader to finish things off in the ninth.

"To their credit, they're in every game," Ross said. "Their offense has been really good in the second half, and for a while now, I guess. They've got some really talented players."

And when the Brewers do officially punch their ticket?

"In my eyes, it's like college sports, right?" said Ross, who played baseball at Auburn and Florida. "I root for all the teams in the SEC once my team's out.

"So I wish them the best in the playoffs. They have, it seems like, a great, fun atmosphere there. I wish them the best."