Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies preview, Tuesday 4/21, 6:40 CT

Tuesday notes… STREAKING: The Cubs’ current winning streak is their 181st of at least six games since 1901, first year of the Modern Era, and their 33rd since 2000. The previous one was Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2024. It was among 73 that ended at six games. In the seventh game, the Cubs led the visiting Red

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Tuesday notes…

STREAKING: The Cubs’ current winning streak is their 181st of at least six games since 1901, first year of the Modern Era, and their 33rd since 2000. The previous one was Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2024. It was among 73 that ended at six games. In the seventh game, the Cubs led the visiting Reds, 3-0, after seven innings, then gave up four runs in the eighth and one in the ninth to lose, 5-3. The last of more than six games was eight in a row, July 21-29, 2023. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

HITTING: Alex Bregman, Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner each has made the Cubs’ first hit of a game four times, tied for most on the team. All of Happ’s have come in the last six games: April 14 and 18-20. All were singles leading off the second inning. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
PITCHING: The Cubs allowed 13 runs in the last game they lost, Monday, April 13 at Philadelphia. They have allowed 14 runs total during the six-game winning streak, the fewest of any MLB team in that stretch.
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Jake Arrieta throws his second no-hitter and the Cubs defeat the Reds by the biggest margin ever in a no-hitter, 16-0 at Cincinnati. It happened 10 years ago today, Thursday, April 21, 2016.

Cubs lineup:

Phillies lineup:

Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Jesús Luzardo, LHP

Here we have a pitching rematch from last Wednesday in Philadelphia, the most recent start for both Shōta Imanaga and Jesús Luzardo.

As you’ll recall, Imanaga was brilliant, allowing three hits and one run in six innings, with a career-high tying 11 strikeouts.

Do that again, Shōta.

Also to do again: Hit Jesús

Luzardo the way the Cubs did in Philly: 12 hits, nine runs (eight earned) in 5.1 innings. Nico Hoerner homered off Luzardo, who has had a rough start to his 2026 season.

Keep that going, Cubs.

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Here is the weather forecast for the area around Wrigley Field.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Phillies site The Good Phight. If you do go there to interact with Phillies fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

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.

Discuss amongst yourselves.