DETROIT — Friday notes…
CUBS vs. TIGERS HISTORY: This is the 15th series between the Cubs and Tigers. It is only the third that will begin with both teams having winning records. The previous two also were at Detroit. In 2009, the Cubs were 34-32 and the Tigers, 38-31. In 2015, the Cubs were 30-25 and the Tigers, 30-28. This is just the fourth time that the Tigers have had a better record than the Cubs. The first three came in consecutive series: 2006 at Detroit (43-24 to the Cubs’ 26-39), 2009 at Chicago (38-31 to 34-32) and 2012 at Detroit (28-32 to 20-40). The Cubs have had a better record at the start of 10 series, including six straight, in 2015-23, before they had identical records of 61-64 when they met at Wrigley Field last year. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
WHAT A RELIEF!: In the last 19 games since May 14, the Cubs bullpen has posted an ERA of 0.74 ERA (6 earned runs in 73 innings), the lowest mark in the majors in that span. (The run allowed in Thursday’s game was unearned due to catcher’s interference.)
ROAD WARRIORS: The Cubs lead MLB on the road in BA (.277), SLG (.492), OPS (.832), runs (196) and runs per game (6.32) and have homered 57 times in 31 games on the road this season, tied for the most in the majors with the Angels (36 games).
THE BUSCH LEAGUE: Michael Busch, last five games: .533/.632/1.200 (1.832 OPS), 8-for-15 with two triples, two home runs, seven RBI, four walks, four runs scored, only one strikeout.
Here are today’s particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Tigers lineup:
Ben Brown, RHP vs. Tarik Skubal, LHP
Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Ben Brown is coming off his best outing of the year — an outing in which Drew Pomeranz opened for him. Was that the reason? Did Brown do better not having to throw the first inning?
I guess we’ll find out tonight. The only split of his that I can find that has a positive indicator for tonight is that he’s pitched better in night games (six games, five starts, 3.94 ERA) than day games (six games, five starts, 7.67 ERA).
He’s never faced the Tigers or anyone on their active roster.
Good luck, Ben, because you have a very tough opponent.
Tarik Skubal is the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, and is also having a Cy Young caliber season in 2025. He’s currently riding a 16-inning scoreless streak which includes a complete-game shutout of the Guardians on May 25 (13 strikeouts). During that streak Skubal has allowed four hits, no walks and struck out 20.
That’s… really, really good. The Cubs have had trouble with lefthanded starters this year. This will be a really tough assignment. The only hope might be unfamiliarity. Skubal hasn’t faced the Cubs since 2023 and no current Cub has more than six career AB against him.
Good luck, Cubs hitters.
Today’s game is on Apple TV+ (how to watch). Announcers: Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Ryan Spilborghs (analyst), and Tricia Whitaker (reporter).
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.