Sunday notes…
- WHAT A RELIEF: Cubs bullpen, last three games: 10 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 12 K, 0.91 ERA, 0.500 WHIP.
- WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY? Since June 10, the Cubs are 25-11, the best record in the NL and half a game behind the Red Sox (26-11) for the best record in MLB over that span.
- LOTS AND LOTS OF RUNS: The Cubs’ 11-run outburst Saturday gave them 534 runs for the season, or 5.13 per game. That is a pace for 832 runs, which would be their second-most since 1970 (855 in 2008 is their most in the last 56 years).
- TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: The Cubs smash five home runs (Brian McRae, Sammy Sosa, Tyler Houston, Leo Gomez and Jose Hernandez) and crush the Rockies 17-4 at Coors Field. It happened 30 years ago today, Friday, July 26, 1996. (NOTE: The 17-4 score was identical to the Cubs winning score that I cited in yesterday’s “Today in Cubs history” item, though many years apart.)
Once again, neither team had a lineup available at the time this preview posted. Please check BCB social media for the lineups.
Jameson Taillon, RHP vs. Braxton Crawford, RHP
Jameson Taillon has not had a good year. This, you know.
His last start at PNC Park was kind of the epitome of his year — four runs in five innings, including two home runs, on May 27. (The Cubs won the game anyway, 10-4.)
All we can do is hope for better. He’s been slightly better in day games (six starts, 4.63 ERA, nine HR in 35 innings) than night games (eight
starts, 6.08 ERA, 13 HR in 37 innings), for whatever that’s worth. Not that either of those sets of numbers is actually good, though.
Do better, Jamo.
Braxton Ashcraft has started twice against the Cubs this year and done pretty well — 1.59 ERA, 1.147 WHIP, 14 strikeouts in 11.1 innings.
Since June 1, though, he’s had a rough time of it: 6.05 ERA, 1.416 WHIP, nine home runs in 41.2 innings. He got absolutely pounded in his last start, July 20 vs. the Yankees, for eight runs (seven earned) in three innings, including a pair of homers.
Go get him, 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.
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.
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