Over the past few seasons, the Chicago Cubs have been on a rollercoaster ride, oscillating between glimmers of hope and frustrating setbacks as they work to reclaim their former glory. On this breakdown page, fans can dive deep into the electrifying moments that define Cubs baseball, from Javy Báez’s unforgettable baserunning antics against the Pirates to the intense rivalries that ignite every matchup with the Brewers. We’ll also highlight the grit of catcher Willson Contreras, who, despite taking a brutal shot below the belt against the Mets, showed incredible resilience in holding the game together. Get ready to relive the wild sequences and fierce rivalries that make following the Cubs such a thrilling experience!
Most Popular Chicago Cubs Breakdowns of All Time
One of the Dumber Plays you’ll ever see
The Cubs were leading the Pirates 1-0 in the top of the third with two outs and a runner on first when one of the wildest sequences unfolded. Javy Báez hit a routine ground ball to third, which should have ended the inning with a simple throw to first. Instead, the first baseman tried to chase Báez back toward home plate instead of just stepping on the bag.
View count: 2,757,382 (last updated at conclusion of 2025 season).
Cubs and Brewers benches clear over hit by pitches
The Brewers and Cubs kicked off the season by plunking each other in nearly every way possible. Cubs catcher Willson Contreras got hit twice, continuing a pattern where Milwaukee pitchers always seem to find him. Christian Yelich got clipped on the foot by a backdoor slider.
View count: 2,719,303 (last updated at conclusion of 2025 season).
Willson Contreras takes 97 mph fastball to the nuts
Cubs catcher Willson Contreras took a brutal shot below the belt during a game against the Mets in Chicago. Chatwood threw a pitch that bounced and caught Contreras square in the groin. Despite being in visible pain, Contreras managed to recover quickly enough to hold the runners and complete the play.
View count: 2,000,564 (last updated at conclusion of 2025 season).
Joe Maddon protests the game because Sean Doolittle taps the ground in his delivery
Joe Maddon protested a game after Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle used a toe tap during his delivery. Maddon believed the move violated the pitching rules, claiming he had been told a foot plant mid-motion was illegal. He voiced his concern to the umpire, who then consulted with the crew.
View count: 1,812,574 (last updated at conclusion of 2025 season).
La Russa yells at catcher after Jose Abreu is hit in the head
The White Sox and Guardians had a tense moment during their AL Central matchup. Things unraveled in the eighth inning when Chicago tried to bunt a runner over but took advantage of a passed ball to get him to second. Another defensive mistake on a pickoff attempt moved him to third with no outs.
View count: 1,722,620 (last updated at conclusion of 2025 season).
The Latest Chicago Cubs Breakdown Videos
- Terrible Replay Review + Other Unseen Playoff Footage
- Cubs manager Craig Counsell gets ejected because he wanted the umpire to ask for help, a breakdown
- Umpire immediately ejects Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner after a calm complaint, a breakdown
- Jorge Lopez suspended for intentionally throwing at Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds, a breakdown
- Lions fake fumble leads to a Jared Goff touchdown pass, a breakdown
- Paul Skenes gets yelled at by the umpire, a breakdown
- Intentional walk turns into an out, a breakdown
- Julio Rodriguez picked off to end the game, a breakdown
- Umpire misses COSTLY foul ball call, a breakdown
- Mikolas drills Happ for accidentally injuring catcher, a breakdown
- Umpire, hitter and catcher all forget the count, a breakdown
- Game-winning run scores after umpires decide the catcher was blocking the plate, a breakdown
For the full list of Chicago Cubs breakdowns, visit the Chicago Cubs tag page.