Sunday notes…
SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE: This series, the Cubs’ 26th of the season, is the 17th in which they have split the first two games. There was a third game in 14 of the previous split series. The Cubs won eight of those games and lost six. They are 2-2 in such games at home, including a win over the Reds on June 1. That was the only time before today that they played a third game at home after losing, then winning. They are 3-4 in all games after a loss and a win, and 5-2 after a win and a loss. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
HAPP-ENINGS: Ian Happ, last 16 games since June 4: .246/.347/.672 (15-for-61) with two doubles, eight home runs, 17 RBI, 10 walks and 12 runs scored.
THE BUSCH LEAGUE: Michael Busch, last five games since June 15: .412/.500/.647 (7-for-17) with a double, a home run, three walks and no strikeouts.
KING TUCK: Kyle Tucker, last six games since June 14: .421/.522/.737 (8-for-19) with three doubles, a home run, a stolen base and four walks.
Here are today’s particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Mariners lineup:
Colin Rea, RHP vs. Logan Gilbert, RHP
Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Colin Rea made some good starts early on this year, but over his last five, yikes: 6.15 ERA, five home runs in 26⅓ innings. Hopefully, this one is better. Like Cade Horton yesterday, Rea got an extra day of rest due to last week’s rainout.
Rea last faced the Mariners April 7, 2024 in Milwaukee. He allowed seven hits and two runs (one earned) in six innings. That’d work this afternoon.
Logan Gilbert started out this season pretty well, but hit the IL April 26 with a right elbow flexor strain. That’s never good, but he has returned and made one start since then, allowing two runs in five innings with 10 strikeouts June 16 against the Red Sox.
The last time he faced the Cubs was April 12, 2023 at Wrigley Field and I post that boxscore link mainly for amusement value, as only two Cubs (Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ) remain on the team from the starting lineup that day.
Kyle Tucker has faced Gilbert a lot from his time in the AL West: 7-for-29 (.241) with a double and a home run.
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.