Monday notes…
- EIGHT IS ENOUGH: The Cubs have not lost a ninth consecutive game since July 17, 2022, when they fell at home to the Mets, 4-3, in 10 innings in the second game of a doubleheader. They had lost the first game, 2-1, in 11 innings. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
- LET’S NOT DO THIS: A loss today would give the Cubs the dubious distinction of having the longest losing streak, nine games, of any team that had multiple double-digit winning streaks in a season. The 1916 Giants had winning streak of 17, 14 and 12 games. The first came after they had lost eight in a row. The second and third were separated by a tie. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
- IT’S AS BAD AS YOU THINK IT IS: In their eight losses, the Cubs have been outscored, 43-20, an average of 5.4-2.5. They have been outhit, 68-39, an average of 8.5-3.8. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
- TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: One day after Jon Lieber one-hits the Reds, Kerry Wood matches that feat by one-hitting the Brewers at Wrigley Field. The only Milwaukee hit is a leadoff single by Mark Loretta in the seventh. Wood walks two and strikes out 14. The Cubs win 1-0 with the only run a solo homer by Rondell White in the fourth. It happened 25 years ago today, Friday, May 25, 2001.
Cubs lineup:
The Pirates lineup was not available at posting time. Please check BCB social media for the Pirates lineup.
Ben Brown, RHP vs. Carmen Mlodzinski, RHP
Ben Brown’s first two starts this year, after being pressed into the rotation due to injuries, were very good. The third, last Tuesday vs. the Brewers, wasn’t quite as good, though still decent — three runs in five innings with six strikeouts. He threw 82 pitches in that one so should
be fully stretched out to go as far as needed today.
Brown’s only appearance vs. the Pirates this year was two scoreless innings of relief April 11 at Wrigley Field in a game the Cubs lost in 11 innings.
Here’s one really positive thing about Brown — he has allowed just one home run this year in 38.2 innings, and that was to the very first batter he faced this season on Opening Day (Daylen Lile of the Nationals), so he’s faced 153 batters since then without allowing a long ball. Keep up the great work, Ben.
Carmen Mlodzinski has made eight starts and two “bulk guy” relief appearances after an opener this year, after being mostly a reliever up to this year.
He threw 5.1 shutout innings against the Cubs April 10 at Wrigley Field, and last time out, last Wednesday vs, the Cardinals, he threw five shutout innings. He has allowed just two home runs this year in 50 innings. This will not be an easy game for Cubs hitters.
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Here is the weather forecast for the area around PNC Park.
Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.
Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
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