Brace yourselves, Cubs fans, because we're diving into the darkest moments of the 2025 season. While we all cherish the highs, it's the lows that truly test our loyalty. And let me tell you, this season had some gut-wrenching games that left us scratching our heads. But here's the silver lining: the '5 Best Cubs Games of 2025' article is coming next week, so we can relive the glory days soon. For now, let's grit our teeth and revisit the worst of the worst.
Bullpen Blunders and Home Run Feasts: A Recipe for Disaster
Among these heartbreakers, you'll find not one, but several bullpen meltdowns that turned surefire wins into crushing defeats. And then there were the games where the opposition seemed to hit home runs at will, leaving our pitchers—and our spirits—in shambles. But this is the part most people miss: even in these losses, there were moments of resilience and individual brilliance that remind us why we love this team.
Game 1: The Eighth-Inning Collapse Against the D-backs
At first glance, the final score doesn’t look too bad. But dig deeper, and you’ll see the Cubs were cruising with a 6-2 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth. Enter Caleb Thielbar, who walked the first batter after relieving Nate Pearson. Thielbar seemed to steady himself, but was inexplicably left in for the eighth, where he walked two more before being replaced by Eli Morgan. And this is where it gets ugly. Morgan’s outing was a disaster: double, home run, single, double, intentional walk, single, single. Seven runs scored in the inning, turning a comfortable lead into a nightmare. Colin Rea couldn’t stop the bleeding, allowing a double to cap off an eight-run inning. Morgan’s season was essentially over after just four more appearances, sidelined by injuries. The bright side? The Cubs bounced back with a five-game winning streak the next day.
Game 2: The Ryan Pressly Meltdown
Justin Turner and Kyle Tucker tied this game 5-5 in the ninth, giving us hope for a comeback. But then Ryan Pressly took the mound in the 10th, and things went from bad to historically awful. Double, single, squeeze bunt, walk, HBP, single, single, single—nine runs crossed the plate, with Pressly giving up eight earned runs. Caleb Thielbar couldn’t stop the bleeding, allowing a double and a sac fly. Pressly’s performance was so disastrous that it’s hard not to wonder: should the Cubs have cut ties with him right then and there? He managed one more save and two blown saves before being let go after the Andrew Kittredge acquisition. Controversial question: Was Pressly’s inning the worst relief performance ever? Sound off in the comments!
Game 3: The Mariners’ Home Run Derby
The Cubs never led in this one, but Seiya Suzuki’s two home runs kept them within striking distance. Reese McGuire also went deep, but it wasn’t enough. The Mariners outhomered the Cubs 5-3, with Cal Raleigh hitting his 31st homer and Donovan Solano and Dominic Canzone each going deep twice. Seattle took two of three games in the series, outscoring the Cubs 30-20. But here's where it gets controversial: Did the Cubs underestimate the Mariners’ power, or was this just an off day for the pitching staff?
Game 4: Cody Bellinger’s Three-Homer Night
Facing the Yankees, the Cubs managed just five hits, but it was Cody Bellinger who stole the show—for all the wrong reasons. Bellinger hit three home runs, the first time a player had done so against the Cubs since Josh Rojas in 2022. Kyle Tucker’s incredible robbery prevented a fourth homer, but the damage was done. The Cubs lost 7-1, never posing a serious threat. Thought-provoking question: Should the Cubs have pitched around Bellinger after the first homer? Let us know your strategy in the comments!
Game 5: The White Sox’s Early Onslaught
Shōta Imanaga had a night to forget, allowing three home runs and seven runs in just three innings. The Sox led 11-0 after five innings, and while the Cubs scored a few late runs—including a Reese McGuire homer—it was too little, too late. This was the Sox’s only win against the Cubs in 2025, making it a particularly bitter pill to swallow. Controversial take: Was Imanaga’s performance an anomaly, or a sign of deeper issues with the rotation?
Dishonorable Mentions
Let’s not forget the 8-7 loss to the Marlins on May 19, where Daniel Palencia was one out away from a win before allowing a bases-loaded triple. The 12-4 loss to the Royals on July 21 at Wrigley Field was another heartbreaker, as the Cubs squandered a 4-1 lead. And who could forget the 12-3 drubbing by the Giants on August 27, where the Cubs led 3-1 before the Giants hit four home runs and Rafael Devers went 4-for-4 with five RBI.
Final Thoughts
While these games were tough to watch, they’re a reminder that even the best teams have their off days. And let’s be honest, it makes the victories that much sweeter. Don’t forget to check back on Monday for the '5 Best Cubs Games of 2025' article, where we’ll celebrate the moments that made this season unforgettable. Until then, let’s debate: which of these losses was the toughest to swallow? And what changes would you make to avoid similar outcomes in the future? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
