MILWAUKEE — Game 1 of the National League Division Series got away from the Chicago Cubs early.
As the team prepared for Game 2, manager Craig Counsell gauged the club’s reaction after Saturday’s 9-3 blowout loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
“It’s a loss, and you kind of move on from it quickly,” Counsell said Sunday afternoon at American Family Field. “It’s one loss. It doesn’t count for more, how you lose.
“We didn’t lose well, but sometimes a close game could have cost us some pitching-type stuff, too. We lost and you move on, and that’s how the clubhouse felt.”
The Cubs and Brewers each held off-day workouts Sunday. They reflected on Game 1 and looked ahead to the continuation of the best-of-five series on Monday in Milwaukee.
“The schedule is the schedule, and I think every different schedule has its own challenges,” Counsell said. “For some guys, the off-day is awesome. For other guys, the off-day is ‘I’d rather be back out there.’ It’s just the schedule.
“We can watch some football today. We can have an easy day. That’s it.”
For the Cubs, Sunday meant another day of rest for a bullpen that saw plenty of work during the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres. For the Brewers, Sunday was another brief pause after the lengthy layoff following the end of the regular season and their bye.
“I’m not sure the break today was necessary,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “But I mean, it’s the schedule, so there’s no complaining and explaining. We’ll take it.
“(Saturday) was an emotional day I think for a lot of people getting back and playing, but being in a rhythm is important.”
Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio slides into second base with a double in the first inning of the NL Division Series Game 1 against the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Oct. 4, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The Brewers used a portion of Sunday’s workout to test outfielder Jackson Chourio, who left Saturday’s game in the second inning with right hamstring tightness.
“I don’t know that he’ll do much, but the MRI came back and it’s inconclusive and it’s not a serious hamstring strain, but it’s not necessarily something that won’t limit him,” Murphy said. “We’re going to kind of see how he feels. He’s going to go through some testing, and if he feels anything, we’re going to shut it down.”
Murphy said Isaac Collins would likely start if Chourio isn’t available.
“Chourio is a great young player, I guess we’ll see tomorrow if he’s in there or not,” Counsell said. “Collins has had a nice year, as well, and had to play out there a bunch because of some injuries they had. He’s also had a very nice year.
“Both good players. We’re going to have to figure out how to get one of them out.”
The Cubs struggled mightily to get any Milwaukee hitter out during the first two innings Saturday, surrendering six runs in the first and three more in the second.
Pitcher Ben Brown noted the team’s resiliency as a strength.
“I don’t think anyone was really beat up,” Brown said. “It would be silly for us to be beat up losing one game. I don’t think anyone was wearing it yesterday. I don’t think that the vibes were super low in the clubhouse after a loss. It actually felt like we were just where we needed to be.
“It’s a testament to the veterans in the clubhouse and the guys that have been in (postseason situations) — I mean, (infielder Justin Turner) at this point has had a full season of baseball playing in the playoffs. He’s probably got more service time in the playoffs than I have in the entire big leagues alone.”
Brown said the presence of veteran players like Turner and Dansby Swanson is beneficial.
“All these guys that have played in the playoffs and lost Game 1s before and have won Game 1s and lost two, there’s been so many different stories and probably (have) been blown out before and came back and won the next day,” Brown said. “Obviously there’s a sense of urgency. We’re putting in great work day in and day out, but there’s such a veteran and relaxed group in there where we can keep our heads on and really just continue to figure out what’s important and figure out what we have to do to win the next day.
“They did a great job calming everyone. If anyone was on edge yesterday, I’m sure we’re in a better spot today just because of the veteran guys we have in the group just making sure we all stay level-headed.”