- Houston Astros (20-31) at Chicago Cubs (29-21) | Wrigley Field | 1:20 PM CT / 2:20 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs (29–21 after getting SWEPT 5–0 Wednesday) host the Houston Astros (20–31, struggling badly) at Wrigley Field for the series opener. We’re on a FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK after the Brewers DOMINATED us (swept 3-0, outscored us 19-5!). We’re in SECOND PLACE (1 game back). Cabrera has a blister. We face Spencer Arrighetti (5-1, 1.50 ERA – All-Star consideration!).
This is the series opener—can we END the five-game losing streak and bounce back at home?
Last Night: SWEPT by Brewers 5-0, FIVE-Game Losing Streak
Last night was BRUTAL. Kyle Harrison struck out 11 and the Brewers shut us out 5-0 to COMPLETE THE SWEEP at Wrigley Field. We’re on a FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK, in SECOND PLACE for the first time since early May, and Edward Cabrera has a blister on his right middle finger!
What Went Wrong:
- Lost 5–0 (SWEPT 3-0 by Brewers!)
- Kyle Harrison: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 11 strikeouts (DOMINATED!)
- Edward Cabrera: Exited after 3 IP (BLISTER on right middle finger!)
- Pete Crow-Armstrong: Error led to 3 runs in 2nd
- Only 2 hits all game (BRUTAL offensive performance!)
- FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK!
We’re in SECOND PLACE (1 game back) and need to turn this around TODAY!
Cubs Season: 29-21, SECOND PLACE, FIVE-Game Losing Streak
Record: 29-21 (Eight Games Over .500, SECOND PLACE, FIVE-Game Losing Streak)
We’re 29–21 and eight games over .500 but we’re in SECOND PLACE (1 game behind Milwaukee!) on a FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK! The Brewers SWEPT us at home (9-3, 5-2, 5-0) and outscored us 19-5 in the series! We’ve now lost 6 straight series (Rangers, Braves, White Sox, Brewers)!
Key Stats:
- 52 home runs (6th in MLB)
- .248 batting average
- 29-21 record (SECOND PLACE, 1 game back!)
- 18-8 at Wrigley (but just got SWEPT!)
Pitching Concerns:
- Edward Cabrera: BLISTER on right middle finger (3-2 record, status uncertain!)
- Need someone to step up today vs Astros’ ace Arrighetti
We’re eight games over .500 but in a TAILSPIN! Time to bounce back against the struggling Astros!
Houston Astros: 20-31, Six Games Out in AL West
Record: 20-31 (Eleven Games Under .500, Struggling This Season)
The Astros are 20–31 and six games out of first place in the AL West. They’re having a TERRIBLE season but Spencer Arrighetti is quietly having an All-Star year!
Astros Season:
- 20-31 record (eleven games under .500!)
- 6 games out in AL West
- 7-16 on the road (TERRIBLE away record!)
- Lost to Twins 4-1 Wednesday (only 5 hits, struck out 15 times!)
Spencer Arrighetti Tonight:
- 5-1, 1.50 ERA (UNBELIEVABLE numbers!)
- 26 years old – quietly moving into All-Star consideration!
- Elite stuff – this is a TOUGH matchup for our cold bats!
What We’re Facing:
- Astros are struggling (20-31) BUT
- Arrighetti has a 1.50 ERA (All-Star caliber!)
- We’re on a FIVE-game losing streak
- Our offense has been TERRIBLE (only 2 hits last night!)
The Astros are bad BUT Arrighetti is ELITE! This is a tough matchup for our cold offense!
Key Matchups at Wrigley Field
Cubs Pitching (Cabrera Blister Issue!) vs Astros
Cabrera has a BLISTER (exited after 3 IP!). Who starts today? The Astros are 20-31 but we need to keep them down!
Cubs Cold Offense (2 hits last night!) vs Spencer Arrighetti (1.50 ERA!)
We have 2 hits last night. Arrighetti has a 1.50 ERA (All-Star caliber!). We MUST attack him early!
End the FIVE-Game Losing Streak
Lost five straight (2 to Rangers, 1 to Braves, 3 to Brewers – SWEPT!). Fresh start vs Houston!
Stay in the NL Central Race
29-21, SECOND PLACE, 1 game back. Win today and stay in the race!
What the Cubs Need at Wrigley Field
Offense WAKES UP
Only 2 hits last night. Only 5 runs in THREE GAMES vs Brewers. TIME TO HIT! Attack Arrighetti’s 1.50 ERA!
Pitching Steps Up (Cabrera Blister!)
Cabrera has a blister. Someone needs to step up and keep the Astros down!
Pete Crow-Armstrong Bounces Back
Error led to 3 runs last night. Clean defense today at Wrigley!
END THE FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK
Lost five straight. SWEPT at home by Brewers. Fresh start vs Houston! Get back in the win column!
Cubs Fan Prediction: We End the Losing Streak!
Final Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3
Our pitching battles—6 innings, 3 runs. The Astros are 20-31 but Arrighetti is tough (1.50 ERA!).
Our offense FINALLY breaks through! Ian Happ drives in runs. Seiya Suzuki contributes. We score 4 against the All-Star candidate!
The Astros score 3 but we END THE FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK and get back in the win column!
One-run win. We’re 30–21, NINE GAMES OVER .500. We end the losing streak at home!
Why Today Matters
We’re 29–21 in SECOND PLACE (1 game back!) after getting SWEPT 5–0 by the Brewers last night. Kyle Harrison struck out 11! Cabrera has a BLISTER! We’re on a FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK! The Astros are 20–31 BUT Spencer Arrighetti has a 1.50 ERA (All-Star consideration!)!
Win today and we’re 30–21. END THE FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK and get back in the NL Central race!
Can our offense wake up? Who pitches with Cabrera’s blister? Can we beat Arrighetti’s 1.50 ERA?
We went 78–84 last year. Going 30–21 and bouncing back from being SWEPT would show RESILIENCE!
Go Cubs Go. End the losing streak and bounce back at Wrigley!