The Cubs head into an importance series in Milwaukee riding some momentum after taking the first three games of their four-game series against the New York Mets.
It’s a great chance for the Cubs to cut into the Brewers’ division lead and get a first look at their new starter, left-hander David Peterson, who will get one of the weekend games.
The White Sox play host to Kansas City this weekend, the Royals’ second visit in a little more than a month.
The Sox swept a three-game series May 12-14 at Rate Field and are 5-2 against the Royals this season. Six of the seven games were decided by two runs or fewer.
Every Friday during the regular season, Tribune baseball writers will provide an update on what happened — and what’s ahead — for the Cubs and White Sox.
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Devastating earthquakes have Cubs’ Venezuelans thinking of their home country
Residents walk among the rubble of buildings damaged from earthquakes the previous day in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Pedro Mattey/AP)
Pedro Ramírez first learned of the devastation to Venezuela, his home country, between games of the Cubs’ doubleheader Wednesday.
He received a text from his mom telling him there had been an earthquake, and Ramírez learned from teammate and fellow Venezuelan Daniel Palencia during Game 2 that the situation there had become much worse. Two devastating earthquakes within a minute, both registering above 7.0 magnitude, in the northern part of the country have killed nearly 200 people — with that number expected to grow — and injured hundreds more while displacing thousands.
The Venezuelan families of Ramírez, Palencia, Moisés Ballesteros and coaches Jonathan Mota and Erick Castillo are OK. The Cubs have reached out to others in the organization with connections in the country to confirm they, too, are all right.
Ramírez was concerned briefly when he texted his mother after their second game Wednesday and didn’t immediately get a response but eventually heard back. He managed to start Game 2 despite the worry and concern for his family, friends and country.
“I tried to stay calm before the game, I tried to focus on the game and to go out there and perform,” Ramírez said through an interpreter. “I almost tried to forget about what was going on, so I could focus in the game, but it’s inevitable to think about what’s going on. It’s difficult when your country’s going through something like that.”
Ramírez, Palencia and Cubs coaches had a “VZ” embroidered on their hats for Thursday’s game.
“I can’t imagine what was going around in his head,” manager Craig Counsell said. “Just trying to support those guys and try to understand they’ve got a lot going on right now.”
Ramírez and the Cubs’ other Venezuelans have been able to lean on each other, especially during difficult times like this. Ramírez has had to adapt to the unknowns since he left his home in Temblador, Venezuela, at 12 years old to play baseball.
“I’ve learned to live like that, to be away from them, and it’s it’s difficult because you’re far away from them and whenever they don’t respond to you, you always get worried,” Ramírez said. “Because you don’t know what happens to your family once you’re far away.”
Randal Grichuk loves White Sox’s resiliency
White Sox designated hitter Randal Grichuk celebrates a home run in the ninth inning against the Guardians on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Rate Field. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Randal Grichuk had one thing on his mind after Braden Montgomery homered to bring the Sox within a run with two outs in the ninth inning Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians.
“I wanted to go deep,” he said. “Honestly, I was thinking about it the whole inning before. Somebody get on and let me try to do it, if somebody doesn’t do it before me.”
Grichuk followed Montgomery’s homer with one of his own, tying the score.
“(Guardians closer Cade Smith is) one of the best, all the credit to him,” said Grichuk, who is hitting .300 with nine home runs and 20 RBIs in 36 games since signing a one-year deal with the Sox on May 4. “These days happen. But, yeah, we put together a couple of good ABs on him.”
The rally forced extra innings, where the Sox lost 4-3 in 10. Still, Grichuk loves the resiliency the Sox are showing.
“We play until the last out,” the outfielder/designated hitter said. “We’re going to keep fighting regardless of the situation. We’ve seen it many times, down four, five, six, put together a run late in the game. Definitely fighting until the end.”
Asked whether he’s surprised by the team’s ability to consistently claw its way back into games, Grichuk said: “I’m going to say yes because baseball’s hard and it’s not an easy thing to do. (And) no from the standpoint of I know the heart, I know the competitors that are in here and I know the talent that’s in here. But baseball is a hard game and it’s not that easy.”
The Sox won two of three in the series and enter the weekend tied for first place with the Guardians in the American League Central.
“We took the series from a team that we’re battling for first place,” Grichuk said. “Played it tough, could’ve swept them, which is huge.
“It’s a lot of confidence. I know we have some down guys in here (in the clubhouse after Wednesday’s loss), but enjoy the off day (Thursday) and come back Friday and be ready to go.”
Number of the week: 3
Grichuk hit his third pinch-hit home run of the season leading off the sixth inning Monday against the Guardians. It’s the most for a Sox player since Daniel Palka hit a team-record four in 2018.
Week ahead: Cubs
Friday: at Brewers, 6:45 p.m., Apple TV
Saturday: at Brewers, 6:10 p.m., Marquee
Sunday: at Brewers, 1:10 p.m., Marquee
Monday: vs. Padres, 7:05 p.m., Marquee
Tuesday: vs. Padres, 7:05 p.m., Marquee
Wednesday: vs. Padres, 1:20 p.m., Marquee
Thursday: off
Cubs starter Shota Imanaga reacts as the Mets’ Mark Vientos rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the fourth inning in Game 2 of a doubleheader Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in New York. (Frank Franklin II/AP)
Left-hander Shota Imanaga always has been a fly-ball pitcher.
Inherently that will result in some home runs. But there is a line between it being a natural part of how his pitch mix plays in the majors and being a consistent detriment. After not allowing any home runs in back-to-back starts against the Colorado Rockies, even conquering Coors Field’s hitter-friendly park, Imanaga surrendered three in Wednesday’s Game 2 win over the New York Mets.
His 20 home runs allowed are tied with teammate Jameson Taillon for second-most in Major League Baseball.
“There’s hits and the hits are homers, unfortunately,” Counsell said after Imanaga’s outing. “Obviously that means some runs on the board, but he’s not giving up a lot of hits. There’s not a lot of baserunners. There were some good things.”
While Imanaga ultimately helped the Cubs get the win and doubleheader sweep Wednesday, he was not satisfied by giving up so many home runs. He believes the long-ball issues stem from both poor location and pitch choice.
“Looking at it I think there’s more space to throw pitches in better locations,” Imanaga said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry. “I threw a couple mistake pitches, and they hit it for damage.”
Week ahead: White Sox
White Sox reliever Sean Newcomb and catcher Drew Romo celebrate after securing a victory over the Guardians in the ninth inning Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Rate Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Friday: vs. Royals, 6:40 p.m., CHSN
Saturday: vs. Royals, 3:10 p.m., CHSN
Sunday: vs. Royals, 1:10 p.m., CHSN
Monday: at Orioles, 5:35 p.m., CHSN
Tuesday: at Orioles, 5:35 p.m., CHSN
Wednesday: at Orioles, 11:35 a.m., CHSN
Thursday: at Guardians, 5:40 p.m., CHSN
Sean Newcomb threw 42 pitches over three hitless innings after getting the starting nod for the Sox in a bullpen game Saturday in Detroit.
He was called on as a reliever Tuesday against the Guardians and threw 45 pitches in 2 2/3 hitless innings while collecting the save.
“The pen was kind of taxed (Monday), so I knew I could be big for this club,” Newcomb said after Tuesday’s 2-1 victory.
Newcomb, 33, has aided the Sox in various ways since signing a one-year deal in the offseason. He has a 2.44 ERA with two saves, 46 strikeouts and 12 walks in 48 innings over 30 appearances (one start).
He also has been one of the veterans the young team has leaned on.
“I kind of try to take after one of the vets I grew up with, Nick Markakis,” Newcomb said. “He came in, did his work, was one of the hardest workers and just led by example and he was always there to talk if needed.
“He’s more quiet, so I feel like that fits my mold. Try to lead by example, put in the hard work and be there as someone to talk to that’s been through a lot of the situations that they’re going to be going through.”
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Quotable
“Every player is aware of how they’re producing and helping the team, and he’s someone that you know cares about this group as much as anybody. And his work behind the scenes has been so consistent and persistent, but that still doesn’t guarantee results. But, man, does it feel good when those come through, and to see someone like that have a historic stretch of games here has just been a lot of fun to watch. I’m so happy for him.” — Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner on shortstop Dansby Swanson’s historic 11-RBI performance in Wednesday’s doubleheader