Brewers 7, Cubs 0 in a rain-soaked makeup at Wrigley. Chicago could muster only two hits and three walks while the pitching staff labored, with Cade Horton exiting early with a blister and the bullpen splintering after Luke Little’s sixth-inning appearance (even a pitch timer violation). Seiya Suzuki celebrated his 31st birthday with a patient at-bat, but Owen Caissie supplied the Cubs’ lone bright moment with his first big-league hit as Chicago failed to find offense in a lopsided day.

What looms now is a Tuesday doubleheader that could reshape the Cubs’ immediate plans. Jameson Taillon was listed to start the day game, with Jordan Wicks likely serving as the 27th man for the nightcap, while the weather forecast promises better conditions. The Brewers, meanwhile, used a steady attack and a weather-delayed rhythm to cruise to the win, leaving Chicago to reset during a pivotal late-season stretch.

Amaya returned from the 60-day IL after a left oblique strain and started at catcher for the Cubs in Toronto, only to leave the game with an ankle sprain. X-rays were negative, but the initial diagnosis is an IL stint and a harsh setback for a club that sat atop the NL wild-card race. The Cubs quickly recalled Owen Caissie, Chicago's No. 2 prospect, as they weather the injury and push toward the final six weeks.

Kelly and McGuire split catching duties during Amaya's absence, leaving the door open for Caissie to debut soon in a roster-starved stretch. The Cubs finish the Jays series before a homestand against Pittsburgh and Milwaukee, a crucial period for fantasy managers monitoring backstops and the lineup’s depth behind the plate.

Amaya's late setback adds volatility to Chicago's catching depth and lineup construction, forcing a closer watch on IL timelines and how Caissie (and the backup catchers) will impact playing time, run production, and ownership in fantasy formats as the Cubs navigate a tight wild-card chase.

The Chicago Cubs have had an impressive run, holding a share of first place in the NL Central for 108 days, thanks to their strong offensive consistency despite facing injuries in their pitching rotation. However, their recent 12-4 defeat to the Kansas City Royals, coupled with the Milwaukee Brewers' 11-game winning streak, has knocked them off the top spot.

Fans voiced their frustrations during the loss at Wrigley Field, particularly during a challenging fifth inning that saw the Royals capitalize on defensive errors by the Cubs. Despite a promising start, the Cubs fell apart, leading to their current standing of 59-41.

Ben Brown, who was called up from Triple-A, struggled in his outing, allowing seven runs over four innings, raising concerns about his reliability as the Cubs approach the critical October stretch. Manager Craig Counsell indicated that Brown's role may need to change if the Cubs make additional acquisitions before the trade deadline.

The Chicago Cubs secured a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, propelled by Matthew Boyd's stellar seven-inning performance, allowing only two runs. Boyd's strong outing featured five strikeouts, marking his sixth quality start in seven games. Carson Kelly shone at the plate with three RBIs, including a two-run double in the pivotal second inning. Seiya Suzuki contributed with a leadoff homer, while Michael Busch also made a significant impact with three hits. Despite a better showing in the fourth inning, the Guardians couldn't halt their five-game losing streak, leaving them outscored 32-8 during this span.

The Chicago Cubs showcased their offensive prowess in a commanding 9-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants, particularly in the sixth inning where they exploded for five runs. The star of the show was Pete Crow-Armstrong, whose blend of speed and power has made him a rising star this season. Hitting nine home runs and showing impressive baserunning skills, Crow-Armstrong forced two errors from the Giants. Carson Kelly ignited the scoring with a homer, while the Cubs capitalized on the subsequent defensive lapses with key contributions from Nicky Lopez, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki.

Quality pitching from Matthew Boyd limited the Giants to just two runs over six innings, further solidifying the Cubs' offensive and defensive synergy. The Cubs' strategy of consistently applying pressure yielded six unearned runs off four errors, illustrating how their aggressive approach can disrupt opponents. As they continue to force pitchers into the strike zone with a 77.3% contact rate, their overall offensive efficiency remains one of the best in Major League Baseball.