MILWAUKEE — This National League Division Series hinges on the Cubs’ offense.
Given that left-handers Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga look shaky and right-hander Cade Horton is injured, the offense might have to carry the Cubs if they hope to go further in the playoffs. The offense was a no-show in Saturday’s 9-3 loss in Game 1.
The Brewers aren’t seen as this high-scoring team with a ton of slug in their lineup — they finished 22nd in the majors in homers, relying on contact to score runs — but they do a good job of finding the gaps and taking the extra base with their speed.
The Cubs always talk about putting pressure on opposing pitchers, yet the team didn’t do so Saturday. They had six hits — three of which came on solo homers by first baseman Michael Busch, left fielder Ian Happ and second baseman Nico Hoerner — and struck out 12 times.
Designated hitter Kyle Tucker was 0-for-3, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was 1-for-4 and right fielder Seiya Suzuki was 0-for-4.
“Getting down early and fast like that, it can be hard to put some pressure back on someone,” shortstop Dansby Swanson said. “But at the end of the day, it’s a complete team effort to be in on both sides.”
With three 30-homer players on the roster, the Cubs have the power necessary to win in the postseason. But they need to do a better job of getting more traffic on the bases. Solo homers aren’t going to beat a Brewers team that was 7-for-17 with runners in scoring position.
The Cubs had just two players in scoring position, and one of those came in the ninth when the game was out of reach.
In the regular season, the Cubs outhomered the Brewers 223-166. But the Brewers finished with 13 more runs than the Cubs, a testament to their ability to string together hits.
Resiliency is a strength of the Cubs’ lineup, and they’ll need that trait to bounce back from Saturday’s loss.
“The beauty of the playoffs is that one game counts as one game,” Swanson said.
Chourio injured
Outfielder Jackson Chourio left the game with tightness in his right hamstring after running out an RBI single that gave the Brewers a 9-1 lead in the second inning. Pinch runner Isaac Collins replaced Chourio and stayed in the game in left field.
Chourio missed a month earlier this season with the same injury, which he also suffered against the Cubs. He was 3-for-3 with three RBI on Saturday.
“It’s really scary,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “We’re hoping that it’s something he can come back from soon. Could be devastating.”
Chourio, however, said that he felt good and that the injury was frustrating. He said his exiting the game was “a little bit precautionary.”
“Compared to the last time that this happened, I feel like I’m in a very good position,” Chourio said.
Tucker update
Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Tucker is “getting close” to returning to the field after suffering a strained calf against the Braves on Sept. 2.
Since returning on Sept. 27, Tucker has only occupied the DH spot in the lineup.