MLB The Show 25 Franchise Discussion

[bigjdotcom01]

Phoenix, AZ (AP) - The 2025 Playoffs are here! San Diego finished with the best record in the IBL and will have a first round bye and home field throughout the playoffs. Phoenix, Boise and San Antonio will also have byes into the Divisional Round.

Here are the first round matchups:

Desert League:

#3 Chandler vs. #6 Glendale:

The Chiefs won the DL East with a record of (86-76), finishing two games ahead of Gilbert. They are led by shortstop Alfonso Rosales who hit .285 with 33 HR and 95 RBIs. First baseman Vaughn Bellamy hit 31 HR with 104 RBIs and second baseman Sergio Gomez hit 31 HR with 82 RBIs. Estevan Cabrera won the Desert League Cy Young Award after going (16-6) with an ERA of 3.19 and WHIP of 1.25 with 228 strikeouts. Closer Reese O'Farrell had 49 saves, a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 71 strikeouts.

Glendale finished third in the DL Central with a record of (86-76), five games back of first-place Phoenix and three games back of second-place Surprise. Third baseman Jay Craig (.274, 37 HR, 97 RBIs) and first baseman Roberto Blanco (.261, 33 HR, 104 RBIs) led the offense. Mackenzie Kwon (13-8, 4.07 ERA) and Anthony Davidson (12-6, 3.18 ERA) anchored the staff.

The teams split the six game regular season series (3-3) with both teams winning two games on the road.

#4 Tahoe vs. #5 Surprise:

The Lake Monsters finished the regular season with the second best record in the entire IBL at (92-70), yet they were 12 games back of San Diego in the DL West and have to play in the Wild Card round. They were led by all-world centerfielder Reese Cherry who hit .291 with 28 HR, 86 RBIs and had 21 stolen bases. Third baseman Robby Lancaster hit 26 HR and had 78 RBIs. Starting pitching was a strength, led by Mark Payton (17-4, 2.31 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) and Julio Berroa (11-12, 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP).

Surprise had a great season and fell just two games short of Phoenix in the DL Central, finishing with a record of (89-73). They were led by right fielder Edmund Isaac who hit .328 with 34 HR and 96 RBIs to go along with 26 stolen bases. First baseman MacKenzie Evans was solid, hitting .282 with 30 HR and 101 RBIs. Andreas Guzman anchored the staff, going (14-3) with an ERA of 2.23 and WHIP of 1.02.

The teams split the season series (3-3) with each team winning two on the road.

Mountain League:

#3 Albuquerque vs #6 Colorado Springs:

Albuquerque won the ML Central by sweeping Colorado Springs on the final weekend of the season to finish (86-76), finishing four games ahead of the Snow Sox. The Mariachis are the only playoff team with a negative run differential at minus 21. They were an offensive powerhouse, led by Cristian Palbicki who hit .317 with 33 HR and 105 RBIs. He was acquired in a mid-season trade from Amarillo for three prospects on July 21^st. ML Rookie of the Year Richard Schartner hit .277 with 29 HR and 93 RBIs and second baseman D'Andre McDaniel hit .307 with 29 HR and 100 RBIs. Pitching was a problem for Albuquerque as their ace Conrad Rouse was (12-13) with an ERA of 4.94 and WHIP of 1.26. Robby Wolfe was solid on the back end with 45 saves a, an ERA of 2.00 and WHIP of 0.98.

Colorado Springs (82-80) snuck into the playoffs on a tiebreaker over Salt Lake. Buster White keyed the offense, hitting .289 with 36 HR and 86 RBIs. Dwight Saryan (16-7, 3.32), Ronald Dunne (15-7, 3.11), and Robby Lundy (13-8, 3.51) were three top end starters that could give the Mariachis fits in a short series.

Albuquerque won the season series (8-5).

#4 Boise vs. #5 Fort Worth:

The Hawks finished the regular season winning their final four games to finish (89-73), two games back of first-place Billings. They are led by ML MVP Chad Riley, who hit .256 with 42 HR and 110 RBIs, and right fielder Matthew Shipman who hit .261 with 21 HR and 90 RBIs. Steve Jefferson went (17-8) with an ERA of 2.67 and WHIP of 1.16.

Fort Worth battled San Antonio most of the second half for first place in the ML East, but fell short in the end with an (84-78) record, three games back of the Javelinas. The went (2-8) over their last ten games. This may be the best outfield in the league, led by left fielder Pedro Lantigua who hit .269 with 36 HR and 104 RBIs, J.P. Bannister (.262, 29 HR, 90 RBIS), and Neil Schmidt, who hit .294 with 27 HR, 80 RBIS and had 31 stolen bases. Eli Sexon (16-9, 3.77) and Ray Villarreal (15-7, 3.32) are two top end starters.

Fort Worth went (6-0) against the Hawks, outscoring Boise 33-14.

[The Gamer]

Trachsel Shuts Down Defending Champs; Cubs Even Series with 3–0 Victory

CHICAGO — On a brisk May evening at Wrigley Field, Steve Trachsel gave the Cubs exactly what they needed: dominance and durability. The right-hander threw a complete game shutout, baffling the defending World Series champion Florida Marlins in a crisp 3–0 Chicago victory to even the three-game set at one apiece.

Pitching Gem

Trachsel (4–2) was in command from the first pitch. He scattered seven hits across nine innings, striking out nine without issuing a single walk. The righty leaned heavily on his sinker and breaking ball, coaxing grounders when he needed them and reaching back for strikeouts in tight spots. By the end of his 115-pitch masterpiece, the Wrigley crowd was on its feet, saluting one of the best performances of the season for the Cubs’ staff.

“He attacked hitters all night,” manager Jim Riggleman said afterward. “No free passes, kept the ball down, and gave us a chance to win.”

Sosa Sparks the Offense

Chicago’s bats didn’t erupt, but they didn’t need to. Sammy Sosa provided the thunder, going 2-for-3 with a towering solo home run, a double, and two runs scored. His blast in the fifth inning gave the Cubs breathing room and swung the momentum squarely in their favor.

Catcher Sandy Martínez, inserted into the lineup to handle Trachsel, chipped in with two hits and an RBI. Mark Grace and Henry Rodríguez each added knocks to round out Chicago’s eight-hit attack.

Marlins Muzzled

For Florida, the offense that pounded out 19 hits a night earlier was nowhere to be found. Bobby Bonilla doubled twice, and Gary Sheffield and Craig Counsell each added a double of their own, but none of the hits came with runners in scoring position. The Marlins left seven men on base, including two key opportunities in the middle innings that fizzled against Trachsel’s precision.

Starter Brian Meadows (1–6) took the loss despite striking out seven. He allowed three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings, his record reflecting more misfortune than effort.

Series Tied, Rubber Match Ahead

With the win, Chicago improved to 19–24, while Florida slipped to 16–26. The series is now tied 1–1, setting up a decisive rubber game under the Wrigley lights. For the Cubs, it’s a chance to capture a home series win for the first time this month. For the Marlins, it’s a chance to steady themselves and remind everyone why they’re the reigning champs.

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[The Gamer]

Cubs vs. Marlins — Game 3 Preview

Series tied 1–1
Probables: Jesús Sánchez (2–2, 3.96 ERA) vs. Mark Clark (2–4, 4.12 ERA)


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🔦 Player Spotlights

Marlins — Cliff Floyd, LF

Batting .329 overall, hitting .333 (13-for-39) over his last 10 games.

Has been the Marlins’ most consistent threat this month, delivering timely extra-base hits to keep their offense afloat.

As the defending World Series champions look to avoid another series loss, Floyd’s hot bat is central to their lineup.


Cubs — Shawon Dunston, SS

Steady veteran spark plug, hitting .280 on the season.

In his last 10 games, he’s batting .316 (12-for-38), showing he’s more than capable of keeping rallies alive.

Dunston’s defense remains an X-factor, though his two-error night earlier in the series is fresh in everyone’s mind.



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📝 Storylines

Series on the line: Cubs and Marlins split the first two games. This rubber match will decide who takes momentum heading into the weekend.

Mark Grace surging: Grace enters the finale hitting .353 over his last 22 games, providing steady production in the heart of the Cubs’ order.

Pitching matchup:

Sánchez (MIA): Strong strikeout numbers (47 K in 50 IP) but elevated walks (27). Command will be tested against a patient Cubs lineup.

Clark (CHC): Durable veteran, coming off a pair of hard-luck losses. Needs to limit base traffic against a Marlins club that still has Sheffield and Johnson capable of punishing mistakes.


Cubs recent stretch: 3–8 in their last 11 games, though Trachsel’s gem in Game 2 gave them a badly needed spark.

Marlins attack: Averaging 6.2 runs over their last 5 games despite Trachsel’s shutout, with a .321 team batting average in that span.



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📍 Outlook

With the series tied and the weather favoring hitters (59°, clear skies, wind blowing out to center at 15 MPH), expect this rubber match to have fireworks. Both teams have their inconsistencies, but with Dunston hot for Chicago and Floyd raking for Miami, this one may turn on which lineup seizes the big inning first.

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[Bgrd1080]

Started a Rockies series and have been posting it to the discord but some of our OS OG's arent on the Discord yet so felt like I was missing out on fun storylines. The website had been odd for me the last few months with the update so haven't been on as often but logged into today and its working perfectly. Not entirely sure what changed. Previously it would take me to some weird 3rd party screen before allowing me on the site but today its seamless and working great on my mobile. Anyways here's what I've got. Started a Rockies series (just in time to see them take the opener this weekend against my Padres...) Anyways, having fun after 2 series and it helps with the "realism" that no one knows what The Rockies are doing lol.

[Bgrd1080]

[jamm113]

The Tampa Bay Rays left April as one of the league’s quiet surprises. At 18–14, their pitching staff ranked among the best in baseball, their bullpen had stabilized, and role players like Ernie Clement and Chandler Simpson were providing unexpected sparks.

But May has been a cold dose of reality. Through 49 games, Tampa Bay sits at 23–26, losers of eight of their last ten, and now facing a brutal gauntlet of series against the Yankees, Mariners, and Angels. It’s a stretch that could decide whether the Rays lean into buying at the deadline — or accept 2026 as a transition year.

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The White Sox Series: Bradley’s Gem, but No Momentum


The Rays opened May against a struggling White Sox team, hoping to make a statement. Instead, the three-game set revealed the fissures in their foundation.

• Game 1 (L 2–9): Shane Baz’s first blowup in nearly a month saw him chased early, while Chicago feasted on Tampa’s middle relief.
• Game 2 (W 1–0): Taj Bradley stole headlines with a no-hitter — his second in two seasons. Bradley, who had walked three and struck out nine, looked every bit like the ace scouts once projected. “I just wanted to attack, no matter what,” Bradley said postgame. “After the sixth, Realmuto told me, ‘Don’t even look up at the scoreboard.’ That’s when I knew.”
• Game 3 (L 6–9): Any momentum from Bradley’s brilliance evaporated when rookie Spencer Arrighetti was hammered for six runs in the first three innings.

The Rays left Tropicana Field taking just one of three, and manager Kevin Cash admitted: “That series should’ve been a springboard. Instead, it felt like a warning light.”

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Houston & Oakland: A Tale of Two Trips


The road trip began with promise. Shane McClanahan authored an 8-inning, 8-strikeout masterpiece against the Astros in a 3–1 win, and the offense exploded for 10 runs the next night after Christian Javier left injured. But Baz’s uneven May continued in the finale, falling 4–1 to Hunter Brown.

Then came Oakland — and what should’ve been a get-right series instead turned into rock bottom.

• Game 1: Bradley threw 7 strong innings, but Fairbanks blew the ninth in a gutting walk-off.
• Game 2: Arrighetti looked sharper but Manuel Rodríguez allowed the A’s to steal it late.
• Game 3: McClanahan pitched well enough, but Rodríguez and Kelly both surrendered runs in extras.

Three straight walk-off losses — the type that sink morale.

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Yankees Rivalry: High Drama in the Trop


Returning home, the Rays had a chance to stabilize against the Yankees. Instead, the weekend brought both highs and heartbreak.

• Game 1 (L 2–3): Pete Fairbanks blew his fifth save of the year, surrendering a Jazz Chisholm go-ahead single.
• Game 2 (W 9–2): A bounceback gem from Baz paired with big homers from Aranda and Palacios kept Tampa afloat.
• Game 3 (L 3–4, 10 inn): In one of the best games of the year, Jonathan Aranda tied it with a monster 426-foot homer, but the Yankees’ depth overwhelmed Tampa in extras.

By series’ end, the Rays were 22–22 — hovering at .500, but with clear cracks in their bullpen and lineup depth.

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Guardians Series: Warning Signs Multiply


The Guardians brought more pain. McClanahan took a tough-luck 2–1 loss against Shane Bieber, then the staff completely unraveled in the finale.

Drew Rasmussen lasted just one out, tagged for six earned runs before Kevin Cash turned to a revolving door of arms. In all, Cleveland piled up 16 runs on 16 hits and 12 walks, capped by two homers from Jose Ramirez.

“This is the kind of loss that makes you rethink everything,” Cash admitted afterward.

The front office quietly acted, trading SS Cooper Kinney to Texas for C Jeffrey Fishman, a 21-year-old bat-first catcher with good splits against lefties. While Fishman isn’t seen as a franchise cornerstone, the Rays are desperate for production behind the plate, where Realmuto has slumped to a .180 average.

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Dodger Blues: A New Low


Just when it seemed things couldn’t get worse, the Dodgers steamrolled Tampa Bay at home.

• Game 1: Tyler Glasnow silenced his former team in an 11–0 shutout.
• Game 2: Kevin Kelly coughed up a lead in the 7th, and Phil Maton moved to 6–0 as the Dodgers pulled away.

The sweep looms, and a brutal cross-country trip to the Bronx and Seattle awaits. The Rays now sit 23–26, third place in the AL East, 5.5 games back.

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League Context

• AL East: The Orioles (28–20) and Yankees (25–22) are battling atop the division. Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson continues to make his MVP case, slashing .403 with 13 HR through April.
• AL West: Seattle (30–18) and the Angels (28–20) loom large — both opponents for Tampa in the coming weeks.
• NL Central: Pittsburgh is surging behind rookie Paul Skenes, while the Cubs remain the class of the division.

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Scouting & Prospects


The Rays’ latest scouting finds:

• Pablo Soto (CF, 19): Elite speed, strong glove, but questions about his bat.
• Tommy Alleman (SS, 18): Big arm and raw power but lacks plate discipline.

Neither looks MLB-ready soon, and with Carson Williams struggling in AAA and Dylan Lesko’s control issues persisting, the system isn’t yet producing plug-and-play reinforcements.

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The Fork in the Road


The Rays face an identity crisis:

• Strength: Rotation remains elite. McClanahan, Baz, and Bradley all carry top-20 ERAs in the AL.
• Weakness: The bullpen has five blown saves from Fairbanks and little margin for error. The lineup is among the league’s bottom five in HR, SLG, and OPS.

Executives around the league expect Taj Bradley or Spencer Arrighetti’s names to surface in trade talks. Rival scouts suggest Tampa will target a lefty-mashing corner bat or another late-inning reliever.

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Narrative Twist: “The Cage Confrontation”


Multiple sources confirmed to ESPN that during the Dodgers series, a heated exchange occurred between hitting coach Chad Mottola and veteran Yandy Díaz in the batting cages.

Mottola reportedly challenged Díaz’s approach against lefties — pointing out his .190 average in the last 15 games and lack of extra-base hits against southpaws this season. Yandy, who prides himself on discipline and contact, pushed back loudly, saying, “You can’t ask me to hit like Judge. This team needs me to be me.”

While both sides downplayed the moment publicly, teammates noticed. One Rays player, speaking anonymously, told reporters:

“It felt like a breaking point. Everyone knows we don’t have enough pop. But to see Yandy called out like that… it rattled the room.”

The incident could either galvanize the offense — or widen fissures between the veterans and staff. The front office will watch closely, as Díaz remains one of the few dependable anchors in an otherwise inconsistent lineup.

[The Gamer]

Cubs Drop Rubber Match to Defending Champs, 5–4

CHICAGO — The Cubs battled, but a late push from the defending World Series champion Marlins proved decisive as Chicago fell 5–4 in the series finale at Wrigley Field.

Johnson Leads Miami’s Charge

Catcher Charles Johnson was the difference-maker, going 2-for-4 with a homer, two runs scored, and three RBI. His three-run shot in the 5th swung momentum after the Cubs had taken an early lead. Cliff Floyd added a two-run homer, providing all the extra muscle Miami needed.

Starter Jesús Sánchez earned the win, working seven innings while allowing three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. Jay Powell and Matt Mantei held the lead, with Mantei locking down his 13th save of the season.

Cubs Can’t Capitalize

The Cubs offense was active, tallying 10 hits, but left key runners stranded. Sammy Sosa doubled twice and drove in a run, while Mark Grace, Shawon Dunston, and Scott Servais each chipped in RBIs.

Starter Mark Clark was tagged with the loss, surrendering five runs on 11 hits over seven innings, though he didn’t walk a batter and struck out six. Relievers Terry Adams and Terry Mulholland combined for two scoreless innings to keep the game within reach.

Series Takeaway

Miami takes the set, two games to one, showing flashes of their championship pedigree.

The Cubs fall to 19–25 and head into their off day needing to regroup before a marquee Crosstown matchup.

Player Spotlight: Charles Johnson reminded everyone why he’s one of the league’s premier defensive catchers with his bat doing the talking in this one.



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👉 Next up: The Cubs stay at Wrigley to host the Chicago White Sox. Former Cub Jaime Navarro (3–2, 4.09 ERA) will oppose Geremi González (3–1, 4.97 ERA) in Game 1 of the Crosstown Series.

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[The Gamer]

Crosstown Classic Opens at Wrigley

Navarro Returns to Face Former Club; Cubs Counter With González

Chicago — The Crosstown Series is back, and this year it starts with an extra layer of intrigue. Jaime Navarro, once a reliable arm for the Cubs, will be on the mound for the White Sox in Friday’s opener at Wrigley Field. The right-hander, who pitched three seasons on the North Side from 1995–97, makes his first start at Wrigley since switching allegiances.

Navarro (3–2, 4.09 ERA) has been steady for the Sox this spring, logging over 50 innings and showing the same mix of sinkers and cutters that Cubs fans once cheered. He’ll be tested by a Cubs lineup that has been inconsistent but is still anchored by Mark Grace (.318) and Sammy Sosa (.273, fresh off a two-double game against the Marlins).

On the other side, the Cubs (19–25) send right-hander Geremi González (3–1, 4.97 ERA). González has battled with command, walking just three but allowing 61 hits in 50.2 innings. He’ll need to keep the ball in the yard against a Sox lineup that has been surging.

The White Sox (23–21) come in riding the bats of Albert Belle (.313, league-leading 14 HR) and Frank Thomas (.366), who enters the series with an 11-game hitting streak. Add in rookie Magglio Ordóñez’s spark in the two-hole and the South Siders have been averaging nearly 8 runs per game over their last five contests.


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Storylines to Watch

Navarro’s Return: First Wrigley start since leaving Cubs after 1997 season.

Big Hurt’s Streak: Frank Thomas looks to push his hitting streak to 12.

Belle’s Power: Leads league with 14 home runs, slugging .600 in May.

Cubs’ Response: Sosa, Grace, and Henry Rodríguez (.341) need to set the tone at home.



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Projected Lineups

White Sox

1. Ray Durham, 2B


2. Magglio Ordóñez, RF


3. Albert Belle, LF


4. Frank Thomas, 1B


5. Robin Ventura, 3B


6. Wil Cordero, SS


7. Mike Cameron, CF


8. Charlie O’Brien, C


9. Jaime Navarro, P

Cubs

1. Lance Johnson, CF


2. Jason Maxwell, 2B


3. Mark Grace, 1B


4. Sammy Sosa, RF


5. Henry Rodríguez, LF


6. Jose Hernandez, 3B


7. Tyler Houston, C


8. Shawon Dunston, SS


9. Geremi González, P




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⚾ First pitch: Friday, May 16, 2025.
☀️ Forecast: 83°, clear skies, wind blowing out to left at 8 mph.

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[The Gamer]

Cubs Walk Off White Sox in Crosstown Opener

By Cubs.com Staff – May 16, 2025

CHICAGO — The Crosstown Series began with late-inning drama at Wrigley Field, and this time it was the North Siders who delivered the last blow. Shawon Dunston’s ninth-inning double set the stage, and Lance Johnson’s sharp grounder off Frank Thomas’s glove plated the winning run as the Cubs edged the White Sox, 3–2, in front of a raucous crowd.

The Cubs’ bats finally broke through after being stifled early by former Cub Jaime Navarro. Chicago trailed 2–0 in the sixth before mounting a two-run rally of their own, highlighted by a Sammy Sosa RBI single and Jose Hernandez’s clutch knock to center.

“Big at-bats when we needed them,” manager Jim Riggleman said. “That’s what these rivalry games are all about—guys stepping up under pressure.”


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Gonzalez Steady, Bullpen Holds

Starter Geremi Gonzalez gave the Cubs 6.2 strong innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out seven. He worked around a pair of Sox runs in the sixth, one scoring on a Dunston throwing error, the other on a booming double by Thomas that extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

From there, the Cubs’ bullpen kept things tight. Amaury Telemaco and Terry Adams combined for 1.1 scoreless innings, setting up veteran Terry Mulholland, who tossed a scoreless ninth to earn the win (1–1).

“Geremi set the tone, and the bullpen did their job,” Mulholland said. “All we needed was that one big swing late.”


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Offense Carried by Veterans

Dunston’s 3-for-4 day paced the Cubs, including a sixth-inning double and the ninth-inning rally-starter. Sosa added two hits, a double, and an RBI, while Lance Johnson chipped in three singles and a stolen base. Mark Grace scored twice, including the game-tying run in the sixth.

The Sox were led by Ray Durham (triple, run scored) and Magglio Ordoñez, who notched an RBI double in the sixth. Thomas’s RBI double kept his hitting streak alive but wasn’t enough to silence the Cubs’ comeback.


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Crosstown Tension Rises

The win snapped the Cubs’ two-game skid and gave them the upper hand in the three-game set. For the South Siders, the loss wasted a solid outing from Navarro, who limited damage through six innings before the Cubs rallied.

With Game 2 looming, the rivalry is off to its usual fiery start. “It’s bragging rights for the whole city,” Sosa said. “We don’t take it lightly.”

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[The Gamer]

Cubs.com – Crosstown Series Preview

Game 2: White Sox (23–22) at Cubs (20–25)

By Cubs.com Staff – May 17, 2025


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Page 1: Story / Preview

Wrigley Field — After a walk-off win in Game 1, the Cubs look to keep the Crosstown Cup momentum alive behind rookie phenom Kerry Wood (5–2, 3.75 ERA). The hard-throwing right-hander will square off against veteran Jim Abbott (1–3, 5.03 ERA) as the rivalry resumes Saturday afternoon.

Wood has been the North Siders’ most dominant arm, piling up 69 strikeouts in 69.2 innings with an elite WHIP of 1.11. He’ll face a White Sox lineup that leans on heavy hitters Frank Thomas (.363, 12-game hit streak) and Albert Belle (.305, 8 HR, 27 RBI), plus a red-hot Ruben Sierra (.429 AVG) who has been a spark in limited action.

The Cubs, meanwhile, are riding contributions from Sammy Sosa (.278, 12 doubles, 32 RBI) and Henry Rodriguez (.338, 9 HR, 27 RBI). Veteran Shawon Dunston delivered in the clutch Friday and will again be a key piece at shortstop.

“This is exactly why we play the game — atmosphere, rivalry, stakes,” Wood said pregame. “I’ll be ready.”


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Page 2: Probable Lineups

White Sox

1. Ray Durham, 2B – .294


2. Robin Ventura, 3B – .267


3. Albert Belle, LF – .305


4. Frank Thomas, 1B – .363


5. Wil Cordero, SS – .271


6. Mike Cameron, CF – .245


7. Charlie O’Brien, C – .259


8. Ruben Sierra, RF – .429


9. Jim Abbott, P – .000



Cubs

1. Jerome Walton, CF – .254


2. Jose Hernandez, 2B – .265


3. Mark Grace, 1B – .318


4. Sammy Sosa, RF – .278


5. Henry Rodriguez, LF – .338


6. Shawon Dunston, SS – .286


7. Scott Servais, C – .250


8. Kevin Orie, 3B – .228


9. Kerry Wood, P – .087




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Page 3: What to Watch

Big Hurt’s Streak: Frank Thomas carries a 12-game hit streak into tonight’s contest.

Belle’s Bat: Albert Belle is hitting .375 over his last 8 games.

Wood vs. Sox: Kerry Wood makes his first Crosstown Series start — watch for his mid-90s fastball and hard-breaking slider against Chicago’s power bats.

Momentum Check: The Cubs have a chance to clinch the series early; the Sox look to even things behind Abbott’s guile.


First pitch: 1:20 PM CT, Wrigley Field. Forecast: 80°, winds 13 MPH out to center — hitter-friendly conditions.

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[Bgrd1080]

Swept and yet such a fun series, especially game 2 where I made a base running, user error but it felt believable and adds so much to the series.

[The Gamer]

Cubs.com – Game 3 Preview

White Sox (23–23) at Cubs (21–25)
May 18, 2025 • Wrigley Field
Probables: James Baldwin (CWS, 4–1, 2.01) vs. Kevin Tapani (CHC, 2–5, 4.85)
Series: Cubs lead 2–0


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Page 1 – Storylines & Context

The Crosstown Classic rolls into its finale with the Cubs holding a commanding 2–0 series lead after Kerry Wood’s masterful 12-strikeout shutout in Game 2. Now, Chicago’s North Siders have a chance to break out the brooms at Wrigley Field.

The South Side, however, counters with their ace James Baldwin, who brings a sparkling 2.01 ERA and four wins into the matchup. Baldwin has been a stabilizing force in the White Sox rotation, keeping hitters off balance with command and mixing speeds.

Meanwhile, Kevin Tapani takes the ball for the Cubs. Though his 4.85 ERA tells a rocky story, Tapani has steadied in recent starts, and his ability to limit hard contact will be crucial against a Sox lineup featuring Albert Belle (14 HR, .304 AVG) and Frank Thomas, whose 13-game hitting streak is one of the hottest stories in baseball.


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Page 2 – Matchups & Hot Bats

White Sox Lineup Notes:

Frank Thomas: Riding a 13-game hit streak, anchoring the lineup at .362.

Albert Belle: The AL’s top slugger with 14 HR, hitting .362 over his last 14 games.

Ray Durham & Robin Ventura: Key table-setters, both swinging well in the series.


Cubs Lineup Notes:

Lance Johnson: Blazing hot, hitting .322 at the top of the order.

Sammy Sosa: Coming off a 2-hit, 2-run performance in Game 2; already 13 doubles.

Henry Rodriguez: Shining in the Sox series (HR, 3 RBI in Game 2).

Tapani: Surprisingly holding a .350 batting average at the plate, adding sneaky offense.


Key Matchup: Baldwin’s power arsenal vs. the Cubs’ middle of the order (Grace–Sosa–Rodriguez). If Baldwin can control the heart of the lineup, the Sox may avoid a sweep.


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Page 3 – Series Outlook

Sweep Watch: Cubs have outscored the Sox 10–2 across the first two games. Another win would secure a statement sweep at Wrigley.

The Big Hurt’s Streak: Frank Thomas is chasing a 14th straight game with a hit.

Momentum Shift? Sox need Baldwin to turn the tide, or risk falling back to .500.

Cubs’ Rising Confidence: With Wood’s gem setting the tone, the Cubs are finding new life after a rough stretch in May.


What’s Next: After this series, the Cubs will regroup at home before continuing their homestand, while the Sox look to reset against AL Central foes.

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[The Gamer]

Cubs.com – Crosstown Recap: White Sox 9, Cubs 3

South Siders Salvage Finale

The White Sox avoided a sweep at Wrigley, exploding for seven runs in the 2nd inning and never looking back in a 9–3 win over the Cubs. Right fielder Ruben Sierra led the charge, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, and an RBI, earning Player of the Game honors.

Robin Ventura (HR, 2 RBI) and Frank Thomas (HR, extended his hit streak to 14 games) also went deep, while catcher Chad Kreuter chipped in with a two-hit, two-RBI afternoon.


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Cubs’ Early Blow

The Cubs’ day unraveled almost immediately when starter Kevin Tapani left in the 1st inning with a finger contusion. Forced into early bullpen duty, Kevin Foster took over but struggled mightily, allowing seven runs in just 1.1 innings.

Despite doubles from Lance Johnson, Mark Grace, and Shawon Dunston, the Cubs’ offense couldn’t keep pace with the Sox barrage.


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Roster Fallout

After the game, the Cubs announced several roster moves:

Tapani placed on the 10-day injured list with a finger contusion.

Kevin Foster was designated for assignment and will report to Triple-A Iowa if he clears waivers.

The Cubs purchased the contracts of SP Courtney Duncan and RP Rodney Myers from Iowa to reinforce a battered pitching staff.



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Box Score Notes

White Sox: 15 hits, 9 runs, HRs by Thomas (12) and Ventura (4).

Cubs: 8 hits, highlighted by Johnson (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Grace (RBI double).

Pitching: James Baldwin (W, 5–1) delivered 8 innings of 3-run ball with 5 strikeouts; Foster (L, 0–4) was charged with the loss.

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[The Gamer]

Game Preview

Cubs (21-26) at Marlins (18-28)

Probables: Mark Clark (2-5, 4.38) vs. Brian Meadows (1-6, 4.89)

The Cubs open a road trip in Miami tonight with a chance to rebound from a bruising Crosstown finale. Mark Clark takes the mound for Chicago, coming off two sharp outings (10.1 IP, 0.87 ERA, 10:1 K/BB). He’s found his groove with command and efficiency, and the Cubs will need that steadiness as the rotation absorbs Kevin Tapani’s absence.

Miami counters with Brian Meadows, who has struggled to a 1-6 record but has shown flashes of control. The Marlins’ young lineup still features danger—Gary Sheffield brings thunder from the three-spot, while Cliff Floyd (.338) and rookie Derrek Lee provide depth.

Chicago leans on a scorching hot top of the order: Lance Johnson (.327) has been setting the table, while Sammy Sosa and Henry Rodriguez provide the middle-order power. Jason Maxwell continues to earn playing time at second, and Tyler Houston draws the start behind the plate.


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Page 2: Lineups & Matchups

Cubs Lineup Highlights

Johnson riding a hot streak, hitting .327 with speed in the leadoff spot.

Grace steady at .315, anchors the middle of the order.

Sosa and Rodriguez both red hot: Sosa .282 with doubles power, Rodriguez .333 with 11 HR already.

Houston will catch Clark, though he’s cooled at the plate (.256).


Marlins Lineup Highlights

Edgar Renteria and Craig Counsell combine speed and on-base skills atop the order.

Sheffield remains the centerpiece bat at .271 with elite pop.

Floyd is the team’s most dangerous hitter at .338, while Bonilla and Lee round out a lineup that can punish mistakes.


Pitching Matchup

Clark: 61.2 IP, 70 H, 34 K, 5 BB — control specialist, coming in confident.

Meadows: 53.1 IP, 57 H, 28 K, 13 BB — hittable, but avoids big innings when he spots his breaking stuff.



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Page 3: Series Outlook

Cubs Momentum Check: Chicago dropped Game 3 to the White Sox but had momentum earlier in the series. With Kerry Wood’s shutout still fresh, the team knows pitching can carry them.

Injury Update: Kevin Tapani placed on 10-day IL (finger contusion). Kevin Foster DFA’d and likely headed to Iowa if he clears waivers. SP Courtney Duncan and RP Rodney Myers promoted from Triple-A to reinforce the staff.

Hot Bats to Watch:

Cubs: Johnson, Sosa, Rodriguez.

Marlins: Floyd, Sheffield, Renteria.


Key Storyline: Can Clark extend his string of quality starts and stabilize a rotation in flux? Or will the Marlins’ lefty power (Floyd, Kotsay) test Chicago’s depth?

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[Itsma806]

2026 Houston Astros 06/05-06/07

Overall Record: 31-33 (2nd AL West/ 0.0 behind Seattle)

Game Results:

Game 1
Athletics-8
Astros-4

Game 2
Astros-7
Athletics-5

Game 3
Astros-4
Athletics-1

Stros win tough series versus A's

The Astros obviously have been struggling especially in May when they went 12-16 to include losing eight in a row. June hasnt been great thus far but after their series win, Houston is 3-3 on the month.

Game one of the series against the Athletics saw Houston fall to 0-3 against them this year. The A's swept Houston in a mini two game series at the end of April and started this one off with a win. Spencer Arrighetti took the loss for Houston and now sits at 4-9 on the year with a 6.13 ERA. He simply was not good against the Athletics hitters as he gave up 8 hits and 5 runs in just 4.0+ innings of work. By the fifth inning, the A's had a 5-0 lead. That lead would prove to be enough although they did add on to it while Houston's comeback efforts fell short, losing 8-4. Brent Rooker was great for the Athletics in the game (3-5 1 HR 2 RBI) and really was great throughout the series. Christian Walker was great for Houston throughout the series as well (7-11 3 HR 5 RBI).

Two of Christians homeruns came in game two. The biggest came in walkoff fashion in the 11th inning to give Houston the 7-5 victory and to even the series. Hunter Brown has been Houston's best starter to date he wasnt great against the Athletics but pitched 7 innings as he allowed 8 hits, 4 runs but struck out only 3. Those 3 strikeouts did move his NL leading number up to 96. Still, he did have a chance to get his 10th victory of the year as in the 8th inning, Houston went back on top to make it 5-4. That didnt last however as Tyler Soderstrom hit his 14th homerun of the season in the bottom half of the inning off of Bryan King who ended up pitching 1.1 innings while only allow that 1 hit.

Neither team scored again until Walker's 11th inning walkoff that gave Houston their first victory over the Athletics in 2026.

Cristian Javier has been the Astros second best starter thus far and he started game three. Out of the three games, he had the best game as the starter. He pitched 6 innings allowed 4 hits and 1 run while he struck out 5. This game was the least stressful of the three as Houston went on to win 4-1. Josh Hader recorded his 16th save of the season although, he did allow 2 hits in his one inning of work.


Houston will now welcome the Angels to town another divisional foe who has already swept the Astros in 26'. The Angels swept Houston in four games during that eight game May losing streak. Los Angeles comes into the series last in the West (27-40).