Today’s roster move: Here
Tuesday notes:
- END IT AT THREE AGAIN, PLEASE: The Cubs have lost three consecutive games for the fourth time this season. They are the only team that has not lost at least four in a row. The other teams have had a total of 140 streaks of four or more, an average of nearly five per team. The Cubs last lost four straight June 23-26 of last year: one at home to the Mets, then three at San Francisco. They lost three in a row four times after that in 2024, so they have avoided a fourth loss a total of seven times since then. They have played 225 games since they last lost a fourth straight game, winning 127 and losing 98, for a winning percentage of .564. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
- STILL ROAD WARRIORS: Despite Monday’s loss, the Cubs are 37-35 in away games this year. They are one of only six MLB teams with winning road records (the others: Brewers, Phillies, Yankees, Tigers, Astros).
- MAGIC NUMBERS: The Cubs’ magic number to clinch a postseason spot is 11 and to clinch the top wild-card spot is 16. The Cubs and Padres split their season series, so the tiebreaker between them is the record within the team’s division. The Padres are 26-19 vs. NL West teams with seven games remaining (four vs. Rockies, three vs. D-backs, all at home). The Cubs are 24-18 vs. NL Central teams with 10 games remaining (three vs. Pirates and four vs. Reds on the road, three vs. Cardinals at home). If the teams are still tied after that, the next tiebreaker is the team’s record against other teams in their own league.
- THIS DAY IN CUBS HISTORY: The Cubs hit eight home runs in a doubleheader against the Dodgers at Wrigley Field, but could only manage a split, winning the opener 11-4 but losing the nightcap 16-9, largely because Cubs pitchers issued 12 walks in the second game and allowed four home runs. (Yes, the wind was blowing out.) It happened 70 years ago today, Friday, Sept. 9, 1955.
Cubs lineup, still no Kyle Tucker:
Braves lineup:
Cade Horton, RHP vs. Spencer Strider, RHP
In 11 starts since July 1, Cade Horton has a 1.23 ERA and 0.920 WHIP, with 54 strikeouts and 18 walks in 58.2 innings.
That’s almost 2015 Jake Arrieta territory. Horton is now the favorite for NL Rookie of the Year.
In his last start, last Wednesday against the
Braves at Wrigley Field, he threw five no-hit innings and struck out six. Then he was removed after 75 pitches, which was the right thing to do. He’s likely going to be limited to 75-80 pitches per start the rest of the year. Which, if he can keep throwing like that, is quite useful.
Spencer Strider allowed the Cubs three runs in five innings in his last start, Sept. 1 at Wrigley Field. Ian Happ homered off him.
Strider was once a very good MLB pitcher, but has struggled this year coming back from multiple injuries. Let’s hope the Cubs offense can continue those struggles.
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Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. You can find out if Marquee is available via a provider in your area here.
Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
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The 2025 Game Thread procedure will be identical to last year’s.
You’ll find the game preview 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, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.
You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
