Game Details & Viewing Information
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
7:40 PM CT at Wrigley Field
TV: Marquee Sports Network (Cubs) | Fox Sports South (Braves)
Streaming: Fubo, ESPN+
The Cubs wrap up this three-game series against Atlanta tonight, and honestly, we couldn’t ask for a better setup. Sitting at 80-59 and firmly in playoff position, every game matters as we push toward October. Meanwhile, the Braves (62-77) are essentially playing out the string, which should work in our favor.
Why This Game Matters
We’re in the thick of the playoff race, and every win helps solidify our position. The Braves may be out of it, but they’re still a major league team with talented players who can hurt you if you’re not focused. Can’t afford to take anyone lightly at this point in the season.
Starting Pitcher Breakdown
Cade Horton Takes the Ball for Chicago
Our 24-year-old right-hander has been one of the pleasant surprises of 2025. At 9-4 with a 2.92 ERA, Horton has given us exactly what we needed in his rookie campaign.
Key Stats:
- 2.61 strikeout-to-walk ratio
- 1.186 WHIP
- Coming off 5 innings, 2 ER vs Colorado
What I love about Horton is his composure. He doesn’t get rattled, attacks the zone, and has been incredibly reliable for a first-year player. If he can give us 6-7 quality innings tonight, we should be in great shape.
Bryce Elder Struggling for Atlanta
The Braves are sending out Bryce Elder (5-9, 5.85 ERA), and frankly, this is the kind of matchup we need to take advantage of. Elder’s been inconsistent all year, allowing opposing hitters to bat .277 against him.
Concerning Trends:
- 5.85 ERA over 23 starts
- Just 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings
- Has been homer-prone (like most of their staff)
His last outing against Philly was solid (7 innings, 1 ER), but one good start doesn’t erase a season of struggles.
Offensive Outlook
Cubs Bats Heating Up
We’ve been swinging it well lately, and the numbers back it up:
- 14 home runs over the last 10 games
- .465 slugging percentage in that span
- Averaging 9.2 hits per game
Kyle Tucker has been absolutely locked in, batting .417 with 3 homers and 10 RBIs over his last 10 games. Even with that calf issue keeping him day-to-day, he’s been our most consistent threat.
Ian Happ is also seeing the ball well (.333 average, 3 HRs in last 10), which is huge for our lineup depth.
Braves Still Have Some Pop
Don’t sleep on Atlanta’s offense entirely. Ozzie Albies has 4 homers and 12 RBIs over his last 10 games, and Drake Baldwin has been a pleasant surprise hitting .346 recently.
They’ve hit 12 home runs as a team over the last 10 games, so Elder isn’t their only concern – their lineup can still put up numbers.
Injury Impact
Cubs Injury Report
Kyle Tucker (calf) – Day-to-day, but likely to play. His .270/.381/.472 line with 22 homers has been crucial.
Key Players Out:
- Miguel Amaya (ankle) – 10-day IL
- Jameson Taillon (groin) – 15-day IL
- Justin Steele (elbow) – 60-day IL
Losing Taillon hurts our rotation depth, but Horton and others have stepped up.
Braves Missing Key Pieces
Austin Riley (abdominal) – Their biggest loss. Riley’s .260/.309/.428 line with 16 homers leaves a significant hole in their lineup.
Pitching Decimated:
- Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) – Was having a solid year (3.09 ERA)
- Grant Holmes, AJ Smith-Shawver also on 60-day IL
Their injury list explains a lot about why they’re 15 games under .500.
Keys to Victory
Attack Elder Early
With Elder’s struggles and our recent offensive surge, we need to jump on him early. Get his pitch count up and force them into their bullpen, which hasn’t been great either.
Horton’s Command
If Cade can locate his fastball and mix in his secondary pitches effectively, Atlanta’s lineup shouldn’t give him too much trouble. Just needs to avoid the big inning.
Capitalize on Opportunities
We’re at home, playing a team that’s essentially out of it, with our rookie ace on the mound. This is the type of game playoff teams win convincingly.
Prediction & Bottom Line
Cubs 7, Braves 4
This feels like a game where everything should align for us. Horton has been reliable all year, our bats are hot, and we’re playing with playoff intensity against a team that’s already planning for 2026.
The Friendly Confines should be rocking for what could be a series sweep. Let’s take care of business and keep building momentum for the stretch run.
With 23 games left in the regular season, every win matters. Tonight’s about continuing to prove we belong in October baseball.
Let´s go Cubs!