The Chicago Cubs saw their chances of making the playoffs fade against the Milwaukee Brewers as the four-time All-Star struggled to find his rhythm when it mattered most. After losing 7-3 to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, they are now down 0-2 in the series. While this is their first NLDS appearance since 2017, Kyle Tucker’s bat has been quiet for two straight losses.

Tucker’s regular-season stats told a good story. The 28-year-old had a .266/.377/.464 slash line in 136 games, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 73 runs. He also had a bWAR of 4.5. Tucker’s presence in the lineup made Chicago’s performance better, making the Houston trade worth it. But October has shown a different story. Tucker hasn’t gotten a hit against Milwaukee in the series and hasn’t driven in a run in three games against San Diego, even with three hits. Plus, there were injuries. Now, the timing couldn’t be worse because he is about to sign a new contract.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network got the stakes right during the series coverage. “There is so much at stake right now for Kyle Tucker, and we’ve seen him so far in this particular series. It’s been a quiet one thus far,” Morosi observed. Then, he emphasized the broader implications.

“He’s been battling multiple different injuries over the span of the last several months, and so now it’s probably too late in some ways for Tucker to completely rebuild the value to where it was. Let’s say around the middle part of this season, about what the expected free agent contract might be, but you got to set that all aside. He can write a different ending if he’s able to have a better outing today, maybe prolong the Cubs’ season.”

On October 6, Craig Counsell talked about Tucker’s situation and confirmed that the outfielder would be the team’s main DH because his left calf was still healing. “Tucker’s DH-ing. It could change. Right now, I don’t see any reason for it to change.” Plus, the manager praised Seiya Suzuki’s play in right field, which kept Tucker from getting hurt again.

“He’s playing well, I think he feels good out there,” Counsell said of Suzuki. “I think he knows this is his job now.”

The deal protects Tucker’s health in the long run as he heads into free agency, but contract projections say that a 10-year deal worth less than $300 million might be the best Chicago can do to bring him back. Tucker’s health problems go beyond his contract talks, though.

The Chicago Cubs have missed rookie starter Cade Horton. And Milwaukee’s offense has scored 16 runs in the first two games. While the Cubs scored first in both games, the Brewers’ bullpen shut the door on them. The team still has the talent to win at least one game in this series, and we are hoping that Jameson Taillon will have a strong game. So, Chicago’s bullpen will finally be able to stop Milwaukee’s hot bats.

Counsell banks on Busch and Tucker in must-win game

Tucker’s future is still up for grabs, but Counsell is in a more urgent situation. The manager won’t panic even though elimination is coming at Wrigley Field. The Cubs must win Wednesday to stay in the postseason race after losing both games in Milwaukee. Meanwhile, Counsell goes back to his Game 1 plan, with Michael Busch leading off as the Chicago Cubs get ready for the Brewers’ Quinn Priester.

The lineup is still the same as it was in the first game.

Busch is the first baseman, Nico Hoerner is the second baseman, and Kyle Tucker is the designated hitter. Seiya Suzuki stands in right field next to Ian Happ, who is in left field. Carson Kelly stands behind the plate. Dansby Swanson plays shortstop, Matt Shaw plays third base, and Pete Crow-Armstrong plays center field. And Counsell hopes that this familiar setup will finally fix Milwaukee’s pitching staff.

But in two games, the Chicago offense has struggled, scoring only six runs, all of which came from solo home runs. Hoerner, Happ, and Suzuki have all hit home runs for the Cubs, but they need to hit when they have runners on base to keep this series going.

Priester is a tough opponent after dominating the regular season with a 13-3 record, a 3.32 ERA, and 132 strikeouts in 157 innings.

On the mound, Jameson Taillon gives us a glimmer of hope. Since coming back from the injured list in September, the right-hander has been great, giving up only four earned runs in 27.1 innings and striking out 21 batters. During that time, he only gave up one home run and limited walks, making him a dependable pitcher for the Cubs when they needed it most.

Now, as the game is unfolding, we will see who does and who dies!