Today’s roster move: The Cubs have optioned Javier Assad back to Triple-A Iowa and recalled Jordan Wicks. This would indicate to me that the team thinks Cade Horton is 100 percent, and the rotation thus is Horton, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Shōta Imanaga and Colin Rea — for now, at least. Wicks likely works out of the bullpen — for now, at least.

Cade Horton, RHP vs. Victor Mederos, RHP

Cade Horton left his last start with a blister, but after the game pronounced himself good to go for this one, so here we are.

Even with that shortened outing, Horton has an ERA of 0.58 and a WHIP of 0.806 over his last six starts, with 27 strikeouts and only one home run allowed in 31 innings. That’s really good!

Hopefully he’s 100 percent tonight. Horton has obviously never faced the Angels or anyone on their active roster.

Victor Mederos has made 11 appearances (two starts) in several stints with the Angels over the last three seasons. This year he made one relief appearance in April, one in July and then was recalled this month from Triple-A and has made two starts, allowing three runs and a home run in each of them.

He’s never faced the Cubs, but Carson Kelly and Justin Turner each have one plate appearance against him, for whatever that’s worth.

Please visit the Angels site Crashing The Pearly Gates. If you do go there to interact with Angels fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

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.