Monday notes…
- SCORING BY INNING: The Cubs scored in five innings yesterday, their second-highest count of the season. They scored in six at Tampa last Tuesday. They scored twice in two innings yesterday, raising their total to 24 innings with a pair of runs. They have tallied more than two in 13 innings, but in only one of their last 88, five runs in the fifth inning at Tampa last Wednesday. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
- RUN DIFFERENTIAL: The Cubs’ run differential is +10 going into tonight’s action. Believe it or not, only five other teams currently have better run differentials (Braves, +46; Dodgers, +35; Yankees, +21; Brewers, +16; Padres, +14). The Cubs are tied with the Tigers at +10.
- THE NICO FILES: Nico Hoerner has a 14-game on-base streak in which he is batting .340/.446/.528 (18-for-53) with seven doubles, a home run, 10 RBI and nine walks. Thus he has reached base in every game this year except for Opening Day.
- WHAT A RELIEF: Cubs relievers did not allow an earned run in the last two games against the Pirates (one unearned run in extra innings Saturday), totaling nine innings over those two contests, with five hits and four walks allowed (1.000 WHIP) and 11 strikeouts.
Cubs lineup:
Phillies lineup:
Javier Assad, RHP vs. Cristopher Sánchez, LHP
Javier Assad stepped up when Cade Horton hit the injured list, and his first start, last Tuesday against the Rays, was outstanding: 5.2 shutout innings, allowing one hit and two walks.
Assad has been remarkably consistent through his 79 games (55 starts) as a Cub. No season ERA lower than 3.03, none higher than 3.73.
FIP figures a bit higher, but also consistent. He will keep the team in the game and give innings.
His last start against the Phillies, Sept. 25, 2024 in Philadelphia, wasn’t very good. Don’t click on that boxscore link. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I suspect we’ll get a better one tonight.
Cristopher Sánchez had a breakout season in 2025, posting 8.0 bWAR and finishing second in NL Cy Young voting. He’s continued that so far this year in three starts, with a 1.65 ERA, 23 strikeouts in 16.1 innings with just four walks and no home runs allowed.
He has not faced the Cubs since that same 2024 game where Assad got hit pretty hard. He allowed three runs (one earned) in 4.2 innings that night. Nico Hoerner homered off him, for whatever that’s worth.
Cubs hitters will have a tough assignment tonight.
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Here is the weather forecast for Philadelphia.
Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. It’s also on FS1 (outside the Cubs and Phillies market territories).
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.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
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