Milwaukee, Sept. 7, 2026 – Chicago Cubs star player Pete Crow-Armstrong continues his MVP season, yet struggles against the Milwaukee Brewers. Entering Monday’s game at American Family Field, Crow-Armstrong had a .108 average and .422 OPS against Brewers’ pitchers in 2026, compared to a .164 average and .620 OPS overall against them.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy shared his thoughts before the game, attributing Crow-Armstrong’s less impressive performance against Milwaukee to luck. “This guy has raked everybody,” Murphy emphasized, “He’s the best offensive player this year. Factor in his defense and base running… I don’t know of a better player. It feels like he’s played well against us.”

Crow-Armstrong homered and stole two bases Monday, striving for a historic 40-40 season. However, the Brewers played strategically, winning 4-3 in the series opener. Pitcher Matthew Boyd threw for the Cubs during the sixth inning, but the Brewers clinched the lead in the eighth inning with Jackson Chourio’s two-run single off Cubs reliever Ryan Zeferjahn, completing a pivotal three-run inning.

Crow-Armstrong’s solo home run in the ninth, his 41st this season, gave hope to the Cubs, but Chourio’s quick defense ended the game, denying Seiya Suzuki of a hit. Cubs manager Craig Counsell noted, “In the end it’s a loss. Pete played exceptionally well, but it wasn’t enough.”

The Brewers hold a significant lead in the NL Central standings, with the magic number reduced to four for a postseason berth and ten to clinch the division.

The Brewers’ success impacts the Cubs’ standings, trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by a half-game for the first wild-card spot. This shift affects potential home-field advantage in the wild-card round. Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman commented, “I haven’t really looked at the standings. We’ve got to win the next game and maintain that mindset till the end.”

In the eighth inning, Bregman’s two-out single gave the Cubs a lead, with Boyd performing solidly throughout the game. Counsell’s decision to keep Boyd on yielded mixed results, with Boyd walking Garrett Mitchell and allowing a double to Joey Ortiz, leading to Zeferjahn’s subsequent relief appearance.

Chourio’s decisive shot off Zeferjahn brought home crucial runs, heightening the Brewers fans’ energy among the 42,368 crowd. Cubs’ bullpen, suffering its 24th blown save, endures a slump at an unfortunate time.

The season series now sees the Brewers leading Cubs 7-4, having won three of the last five matchups, diminishing Cubs’ hopes for division dominance. Boyd remains optimistic, stating, “We still have two crucial games. That’s the competitive spirit you want at this stage.”

Crow-Armstrong’s stolen bases on Monday reached 35, nearing the elite 40-40 club with historical figures like Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, and Shohei Ohtani. Counsell, prioritizing team over personal accolades, encourages responsible play over record chasing.

Crow-Armstrong acknowledges the significance but maintains focus on postseason ambitions. The looming wild-card battle necessitates every game’s importance, highlighted by Monday’s strategic decisions, against Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski.

Murphy’s Brewers pursuit of a No. 1 seed and a first-round playoff bye reflects the competitive urgency. Young pitchers like those in the Brewers roster reach career highs in innings, but Murphy encourages patience and gratitude for the journey.

“They only know they’re low on innings because we tell them,” Murphy observed, “It’s more opportunity and gift than problem.” The Brewers look forward to continuing their playoff pursuit with enthusiasm.