As the 2025 season heats up, Brewers manager Pat Murphy had a short, sharp message for anyone calling the Cubs “underdogs.” He made it clear: enough with that line of thought. It is a simple reminder that this is a tight race for bragging rights in the NL Central.
Pat Murphy does not like the narrative that the Cubs are the underdogs in the NL Central race pic.twitter.com/O6moOuA2dh
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 18, 2025
Brewers manager does not want to hear about Cubs being “Underdogs”
He says, "They have all-stars, MVP candidates, veterans, gold-glove winners, world champions. What don't they have? They're not the underdogs, trust me."
Milwaukee has pulled ahead and is now leading the division by nine games heading into the second game of the doubleheader. The team has been firing on all cylinders, pitching, defense, and timely hitting have all contributed to their climb to the top. Their surge has erased early underestimates and silenced critics who questioned their depth or questioned whether they could maintain their pace.
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Meanwhile, the Cubs have stumbled in recent weeks. Where they once seemed firmly in control of the division, they now sit several games back. Their offense, once a strength, has cooled just when the pressure has mounted. The decline has material consequences: a slipping hold on the division and growing urgency from players and fans alike.
Even so, Chicago remains firmly in the race for the postseason. Their wild-card position is secure, and they still control their destiny to some degree. But the crack in the armor is visible. Questions swirl about whether their offense can rediscover its spark, whether pitching will stay consistent, and whether key players can stand up in the stretch run.
For Milwaukee, it’s about building on momentum. For Chicago, it’s time to regroup and fast. As Murphy warns against underestimating the Cubs, the message is clear: both teams know how quickly things can change in baseball.
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