Our weekly summary for Knoxville Smokies fans gets you up to speed on the club, the Cubs organization and what’s coming.
Covenant Health Park is officially open. Knox News takes you inside!
Joanna Hayes takes viewers inside Covenant Health Park. The Smokies kicked off their return to Knoxville with their first game April 15.
Around the Horn with the Cubs Organization
CHICAGO CUBS (MLB): The Chicago Cubs are holding firm atop the National League Central with a 51-35 record, as of July 2nd. They are looking to solidify their playoff position and make a World Series push as the trade deadline approaches.
IOWA CUBS (Triple-A affiliate in Des Moines): The Iowa Cubs are at 3-5 since resetting their record. Iowa lost its recent series against Columbus four games to two. Shōta Imanaga successfully completed his rehab stint and has returned to the Cubs. Iowa is 1-1 with Omaha to start the split series in Des Moines.
SOUTH BEND CUBS (High-A affiliate in South Bend, Indiana): The South Bend Cubs are 5-6 in the second half of the season. They dropped their July 1 game to Peoria 6-1, managing only three hits. Brayden Risedorph has emerged as a standout reliever, having not allowed a run at High-A after a dominant stretch in Low-A. Risedorph should be a player to watch out for in a Smokies uniform.
MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS (Single-A affiliate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina): The Pelicans have a 9-2 record since the start of the season’s second half. They have shown a remarkable turnaround, beginning the second half with a strong winning streak after a challenging first half. Myrtle Beach finished the first half of the season last in the Carolina league. They stand atop of the league, as of July 2.
Catching up on recent Knoxville Smokies series
The Knoxville Smokies concluded their home series against the Birmingham Barons with a 3-3 split. They began a road series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas, securing a 3-1 win July 1 before falling 9-1 the following day, evening the Smokies’ second-half record to 4-4.
The Smokies’ roster has remained largely consistent since Opening Day, and their offense has recently stepped up to carry the team, a notable shift from earlier in the season when pitching was the primary strength.
The minor league baseball season is divided into two halves. This split-season format is designed to provide more opportunities for teams to contend for a playoff spot. The winner of the first half automatically qualifies for the postseason.
The Chattanooga Lookouts finished atop the Southern League standings in the first half. As it stands, the Smokies are first in the Southern League North and would be the second playoff team from the division.
Southern League North Standings as of July 2, 2025Knoxville Smokies: 4-4 (.500)Chattanooga Lookouts: 3-4 (.429), 0.5 GBBirmingham Barons: 3-5 (.375), 1 GBRocket City Trash Pandas: 1-7 (.125), 3 GBSmokies return to Covenant Health Park
The Smokies continue their series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas, returning to Covenant Health Park for the second half of the six-game series July 4. The series continues through July 6, and the Smokies are back at the ballpark July 8 for another six-game set against the Montgomery Biscuits.
Knox News reporter Gabriel Jackson covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC. Email: gabriel.jackson@knoxnews.com.