The Chicago Cubs\u2019 postseason run didn\u2019t end with a trophy, but it did showcase the depth that carried them deep into October.<\/p>\n
From unexpected bullpen heroes to fearless rookies at the plate, several Cubs stepped into the spotlight and made their mark during Chicago\u2019s 2025 playoff campaign.<\/p>\n
Below are the players who turned postseason pressure into defining career moments.<\/p>\n
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Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Michael Busch\u2019s patient, powerful approach carried into October. His combination of discipline and early-count aggression gave Chicago needed momentum at the top of the order.<\/p>\n
He opened Game 3 of the NLDS with a leadoff home run, his second of the series, becoming the first Cub to record multiple leadoff homers<\/a> in a single postseason series.<\/a><\/p>\n Busch\u2019s on-base skills helped spark several first-inning rallies, and his consistent production at the top of the lineup set the tone throughout October.<\/p>\n Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Rookie center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong made his first postseason one to remember. After driving in the go-ahead run in Chicago\u2019s Wild Card series win over San Diego, he delivered again in Game 3 of the NLDS, lining a two-run single to center that helped extend the Cubs\u2019 lead at Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n Offense aside, it was the 23-year-old\u2019s elite defense and fearless approach that were on full display and set him apart, providing a glimpse into the energy and confidence fueling the next era of Cubs baseball.<\/p>\n Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Right-hander Brad Keller wasn\u2019t projected to play a major postseason role, but his composure under pressure quickly changed that. In Game 3 against Milwaukee, Keller entered a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning and escaped with a strikeout and groundout before finishing the ninth for a four-out save, his first career postseason save.<\/p>\n Keller\u2019s steady presence became a cornerstone of Chicago\u2019s bullpen, giving Counsell another key player to trust in the team’s most significant moments.<\/p>\n Jovanny Hernandez \/ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n Matthew Boyd\u2019s postseason redemption arc was one of the most underrated stories of the Cubs\u2019 run.<\/p>\n After a rough outing earlier in the NLDS, the veteran lefty rebounded in Game 4, tossing nearly five scoreless innings to help Chicago force a decisive Game 5. His fastball-slider mix was sharp, and his pace kept Milwaukee\u2019s lineup off balance, which is a reminder of why Chicago took a chance on him at the trade deadline.<\/p>\n Player<\/p>\n Postseason Highlight<\/p>\n Michael Busch\t<\/p>\n 2 leadoff home runs in NLDS<\/p>\n Pete Crow-Armstrong<\/p>\n Go-ahead RBI vs. Padres; 2-run single in NLDS Game 3<\/p>\n Brad Keller<\/p>\n First career postseason save (Game 3)<\/p>\n Matthew Boyd<\/p>\n 5 scoreless innings in NLDS Game 4<\/p>\n While Milwaukee ultimately advanced to the NLCS, Chicago\u2019s postseason highlighted that the next wave of Cubs talent has arrived. The performances of Busch, Crow-Armstrong, Keller, and Boyd suggest the team\u2019s future is already taking shape under pressure.<\/p>\n The Latest Chicago Cubs News<\/p>\n 3 Cubs Players Unlikely To Be On The 2026 Opening Day Roster<\/a><\/p>\n Is Craig Counsell\u2019s Job Safe After The Cubs\u2019 2025 Season?<\/a><\/p>\n William Contreras\u2019 3-Word Dig After NLDS Win Won\u2019t Sit Well With Cubs Fans<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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