Jun 26, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith (11) hits an RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images The two teams tied for the third-best record in the majors will begin a three-game series on Friday night when the Chicago Cubs visit the Houston Astros.
The National League Central-leading Cubs and American League West-best Astros are 48-33. That record is bettered by only the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers, both of whom are 51-31.
The Cubs and Astros are coming off wins on Thursday.
Chicago defeated the host St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 to split a four-game series, while Houston completed a three-game sweep over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies with a 2-1 victory The Astros have won 12 of their last 15 games overall and are 30-13 at home this season.
For the Cubs, Shota Imanaga came off the injured list to allow only one hit in five innings on Thursday, and Michael Busch homered.
Imanaga had been out since May 4 with an injured left hamstring. The only hit he allowed was Masyn Winn’s sharp grounder off the glove of shortstop Dansby Swanson.
“He controlled the environment,” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said of Imanaga. “It looked like he’d been out there every single start. I think there’s a tendency to get a little over-amped in starts like that. I think he controlled his effort level really well, and that caused a lot of good execution.”
Busch’s homer is a continuation of his success this month, as he has gone deep six times with 16 RBIs and a .994 OPS. Busch has a batting line of .273/.363/.506 with 13 homers and 46 RBIs for the season.
Houston got a tiebreaking RBI single by Cam Smith with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning on Thursday to beat the Phillies. The Astros completed the sweep despite scoring only five runs in the series.
The Astros’ pitchers allowed only one run in the three games, and it didn’t come until the eighth inning on Thursday.
“We’re playing great baseball on both sides of the ball,” Smith said. “Everybody’s doing their job, everybody’s doing what they can do to the best of their ability and letting the game speak for itself.”
Though he didn’t get a decision, Houston starter Hunter Brown was spectacular on Thursday. He allowed only three hits in seven shutout innings, didn’t walk a batter and struck out nine to lower his ERA to 1.74.
“I think you’ve got a bunch of guys that believe in one another,” Brown said. “I think the way that everybody goes about their preparation, when you start to see results through that preparation, you know you can build some confidence in that. I think that’s what you’re seeing right now.”
Rookie right-hander Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday for the Cubs after recording a pair of no-decisions in his last two outings. It will be his first career start against the Astros.
Left-hander Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80) will get the nod for the Astros after surrendering seven runs on nine hits — including two homers — in a 9-1 shellacking by the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday.
Walter allowed two runs on six hits in two innings on July 15, 2023, in his lone previous appearance versus the Cubs.
–Field Level Media
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Reds pitcher Nick Martinez nearly throws first no-hitter of 2025 in 8-1 win over Padres
It was close, but MLB will have to wait a little bit longer for the first no-hitter of the 2025 season.On Friday, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez nearly earned that honor, throwing eight hitless innings in the Reds' 8-1 win over the San Diego Padres. But in the top of the ninth, with Martinez three outs away from making history, Padres catcher Elias Díaz hit a double to break up Martinez's no-hit bid.Even with the hit, Martinez had a career night on Friday: The 34-year-old threw six strikeouts, two walks and one hit in 112 pitches. One of those strikeouts came at the end of the eighth, as Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth struck out swinging to end the inning.But then, in the ninth, fatigue began to creep in for Martinez, who threw a walk just before Díaz hit his […]
Reds pitcher Nick Martinez nearly throws first no-hitter of 2025 in 8-1 win over Padres
It was close, but MLB will have to wait a little bit longer for the first no-hitter of the 2025 season.On Friday, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez nearly earned that honor, throwing eight hitless innings in the Reds' 8-1 win over the San Diego Padres. But in the top of the ninth, with Martinez three outs away from making history, Padres catcher Elias Díaz hit a double to break up Martinez's no-hit bid.Even with the hit, Martinez had a career night on Friday: The 34-year-old threw six strikeouts, two walks and one hit in 112 pitches. One of those strikeouts came at the end of the eighth, as Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth struck out swinging to end the inning.But then, in the ninth, fatigue began to creep in for Martinez, who threw a walk just before Díaz hit his […]
Dylan Rock does not hit home run in 9th consecutive game, falling short of pro baseball record
Dylan Rock fell short of setting a professional baseball record on Friday night, going without hitting a home run in his ninth consecutive game.The outfielder had one last chance in the ninth inning to hit a record home run, but hit a grounder back to the pitcher for an out. He batted 0-for-3 with an RBI, walk and strikeout in the Lexington Legends' 8-7 defeat versus the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the independent Atlantic League.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRock became the fifth player in pro baseball history to hit a home run in eight consecutive games during Thursday's 11-10 loss to the Charleston Dirty Birds, going deep in the first inning off pitcher David LeBron. His streak began on June 18 versus the Gastonia Ghost Peppers.Three players have hit eight consecutive home runs in MLB history: Ken Griffey Jr. with the Seattle Mariners […]
Dylan Rock does not hit home run in 9th consecutive game, falling short of pro baseball record
Dylan Rock fell short of setting a professional baseball record Friday night, going without hitting a home run in his ninth consecutive game.The outfielder had one last chance in the ninth inning to hit a record home run, but hit a grounder back to the pitcher for an out. He batted 0-for-3 with an RBI, walk and strikeout in the Lexington Legends' 8-7 defeat versus the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the independent Atlantic League.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRock became the fifth player in pro baseball history to hit a home run in eight consecutive games during Thursday's 11-10 loss to the Charleston Dirty Birds, going deep in the first inning off pitcher David LeBron. His streak began June 18 versus the Gastonia Ghost Peppers.Three players have hit eight consecutive home runs in MLB history: Ken Griffey Jr. with the Seattle Mariners in 1993, […]
Raphinha diz que europeus foram obrigados a jogar a Copa do Mundo de Clubes
Raphinha durante jogo do Barcelona (Divulgação)O atacante Raphinha, do Barcelona e da Seleção Brasileira, comentou sobre a disputa da Copa do Mundo de Clubes durante um evento realizado em São Paulo. Na ocasião, ele destacou o desempenho positivo das equipes brasileiras na competição, mas também fez duras críticas ao calendário da FIFA, que obrigou clubes europeus a participarem do torneio mesmo em período destinado às férias dos jogadores. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADESegundo o jogador, abrir mão do período de descanso após o encerramento da temporada europeia representa um desafio físico e mental aos atletas. “Abrir mão de férias por obrigação é muito complicado”, afirmou Raphinha, citando o caso de jogadores como Marquinhos e Beraldo, do PSG, que disputaram a final da Champions League, atuaram na seleção brasileira e, na sequência, seguiram para o Mundial.Raphinha comenta brilho de brasileiros na competição internacionalRaphinha também […]
Raphinha diz que europeus foram obrigados a jogar a Copa do Mundo de Clubes
Raphinha durante jogo do Barcelona (Divulgação)O atacante Raphinha, do Barcelona e da Seleção Brasileira, comentou sobre a disputa da Copa do Mundo de Clubes durante um evento realizado em São Paulo. Na ocasião, ele destacou o desempenho positivo das equipes brasileiras na competição, mas também fez duras críticas ao calendário da FIFA, que obrigou clubes europeus a participarem do torneio mesmo em período destinado às férias dos jogadores. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADESegundo o jogador, abrir mão do período de descanso após o encerramento da temporada europeia representa um desafio físico e mental aos atletas. “Abrir mão de férias por obrigação é muito complicado”, afirmou Raphinha, citando o caso de jogadores como Marquinhos e Beraldo, do PSG, que disputaram a final da Champions League, atuaram na seleção brasileira e, na sequência, seguiram para o Mundial.Raphinha comenta brilho de brasileiros na competição internacionalRaphinha também […]
Related
Reds pitcher Nick Martinez nearly throws first no-hitter of 2025 in 8-1 win over Padres
It was close, but MLB will have to wait a little bit longer for the first no-hitter of the 2025 season.On Friday, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez nearly earned that honor, throwing eight hitless innings in the Reds' 8-1 win over the San Diego Padres. But in the top of the ninth, with Martinez three outs away from making history, Padres catcher Elias Díaz hit a double to break up Martinez's no-hit bid.Even with the hit, Martinez had a career night on Friday: The 34-year-old threw six strikeouts, two walks and one hit in 112 pitches. One of those strikeouts came at the end of the eighth, as Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth struck out swinging to end the inning.But then, in the ninth, fatigue began to creep in for Martinez, who threw a walk just before Díaz hit his […]
Reds pitcher Nick Martinez nearly throws first no-hitter of 2025 in 8-1 win over Padres
It was close, but MLB will have to wait a little bit longer for the first no-hitter of the 2025 season.On Friday, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez nearly earned that honor, throwing eight hitless innings in the Reds' 8-1 win over the San Diego Padres. But in the top of the ninth, with Martinez three outs away from making history, Padres catcher Elias Díaz hit a double to break up Martinez's no-hit bid.Even with the hit, Martinez had a career night on Friday: The 34-year-old threw six strikeouts, two walks and one hit in 112 pitches. One of those strikeouts came at the end of the eighth, as Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth struck out swinging to end the inning.But then, in the ninth, fatigue began to creep in for Martinez, who threw a walk just before Díaz hit his […]
Dylan Rock does not hit home run in 9th consecutive game, falling short of pro baseball record
Dylan Rock fell short of setting a professional baseball record Friday night, going without hitting a home run in his ninth consecutive game.The outfielder had one last chance in the ninth inning to hit a record home run, but hit a grounder back to the pitcher for an out. He batted 0-for-3 with an RBI, walk and strikeout in the Lexington Legends' 8-7 defeat versus the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the independent Atlantic League.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRock became the fifth player in pro baseball history to hit a home run in eight consecutive games during Thursday's 11-10 loss to the Charleston Dirty Birds, going deep in the first inning off pitcher David LeBron. His streak began June 18 versus the Gastonia Ghost Peppers.Three players have hit eight consecutive home runs in MLB history: Ken Griffey Jr. with the Seattle Mariners in 1993, […]
Dylan Rock does not hit home run in 9th consecutive game, falling short of pro baseball record
Dylan Rock fell short of setting a professional baseball record on Friday night, going without hitting a home run in his ninth consecutive game.The outfielder had one last chance in the ninth inning to hit a record home run, but hit a grounder back to the pitcher for an out. He batted 0-for-3 with an RBI, walk and strikeout in the Lexington Legends' 8-7 defeat versus the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the independent Atlantic League.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRock became the fifth player in pro baseball history to hit a home run in eight consecutive games during Thursday's 11-10 loss to the Charleston Dirty Birds, going deep in the first inning off pitcher David LeBron. His streak began on June 18 versus the Gastonia Ghost Peppers.Three players have hit eight consecutive home runs in MLB history: Ken Griffey Jr. with the Seattle Mariners […]
Raphinha diz que europeus foram obrigados a jogar a Copa do Mundo de Clubes
Raphinha durante jogo do Barcelona (Divulgação)O atacante Raphinha, do Barcelona e da Seleção Brasileira, comentou sobre a disputa da Copa do Mundo de Clubes durante um evento realizado em São Paulo. Na ocasião, ele destacou o desempenho positivo das equipes brasileiras na competição, mas também fez duras críticas ao calendário da FIFA, que obrigou clubes europeus a participarem do torneio mesmo em período destinado às férias dos jogadores. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADESegundo o jogador, abrir mão do período de descanso após o encerramento da temporada europeia representa um desafio físico e mental aos atletas. “Abrir mão de férias por obrigação é muito complicado”, afirmou Raphinha, citando o caso de jogadores como Marquinhos e Beraldo, do PSG, que disputaram a final da Champions League, atuaram na seleção brasileira e, na sequência, seguiram para o Mundial.Raphinha comenta brilho de brasileiros na competição internacionalRaphinha também […]
Raphinha diz que europeus foram obrigados a jogar a Copa do Mundo de Clubes
Raphinha durante jogo do Barcelona (Divulgação)O atacante Raphinha, do Barcelona e da Seleção Brasileira, comentou sobre a disputa da Copa do Mundo de Clubes durante um evento realizado em São Paulo. Na ocasião, ele destacou o desempenho positivo das equipes brasileiras na competição, mas também fez duras críticas ao calendário da FIFA, que obrigou clubes europeus a participarem do torneio mesmo em período destinado às férias dos jogadores. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADESegundo o jogador, abrir mão do período de descanso após o encerramento da temporada europeia representa um desafio físico e mental aos atletas. “Abrir mão de férias por obrigação é muito complicado”, afirmou Raphinha, citando o caso de jogadores como Marquinhos e Beraldo, do PSG, que disputaram a final da Champions League, atuaram na seleção brasileira e, na sequência, seguiram para o Mundial.Raphinha comenta brilho de brasileiros na competição internacionalRaphinha também […]
Be the first to leave a comment