The painful truth about Cubs' NLDS failure is now impossible to ignore

The Cubs’ NLDS nightmare has one explanation insiders can’t ignore

Jordan Campbell

Division Series - Chicago Cubs v Milwaukee Brewers - Game One / Patrick McDermott/GettyImages

The Milwaukee Brewers' routing of the Chicago Cubs in the first two games of the NLDS hasn't just exposed how far the Cubs are from being the top team in the National League Central, but how grossly the front office misevaluated the MLB trade deadline. It was a time when the Cubs were expected to add a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, but came away with Michael Soroka while championing the fact that the 2032 Cubs were intact. Given how the pitching staff has struggled against the Brewers, it's impossible to ignore that failure.

.@Russ_Dorsey1: "I think this series, assuming the Cubs lose it, was lost at the trade deadline."

The Cade Horton injury was brutal, but it was well-known the Cubs needed more starting pitching depth and they didn't add it adequately at the deadline, Dorsey says. pic.twitter.com/LugOm5MpML
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) October 7, 2025

Cubs NLDS collapse just got a cold dose of truth from MLB insider

The greatest trick the Cubs pull each season is to rightfully identify what the problem spot is on their roster, say they will address it, only to make an addition that barely scratches the surface of what needs to be done. Sure, the loss of Justin Steele certainly played a part in the need the Cubs had for starting pitching at the deadline, but it seemed clear that the front office was aware that they also needed a starting pitcher capable of starting in a playoff game. Soroka has tossed 1 and 2/3 innings of relief during the Cubs' playoff run.

Meanwhile, the Cubs were forced to turn to an opener in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres last week, use a Matt Boyd on short rest on Saturday, and force a battered Shota Imanaga into their playoff rotation.

The craziest part is that the Cubs haven't even waited until the conclusion of the NLDS to leak the messaging of their planned pursuit of pitching this season. Each offseason should have the signings where the Cubs find diamonds in the rough, like they did with Colin Rea and Brad Keller, but those can't be the main additions for the biggest need on the roster. The Cubs survived that mistake and had a good regular season, but they doubled down on that error at the deadline, and that is why they are on the brink of elimination.

Jordan Campbell

For nearly 15 years, Jordan has been a workhorse across the FanSided network - including being the inaugural site expert for Cubbies Crib, as well as a stop at Da Windy City as the site expert. In addition to returning to be a Co-Site Expert at Cubbies Crib, Jordan was previously the Site Expert at Bear Goggles On. In the years since, Jordan has joined FanSided's full-time team, serving as a staff writer for the MLB division. Jordan's work can be seen across the MLB division, including a consistent presence on our Cubs, Twins, Astros, and Tigers sites. Since 2010, Jordan has dedicated his craft to providing insightful commentary on all things Chicago sports, and he has enjoyed his venture into all things Major League Baseball.