Shota Imanaga takes the ball for Chicago in the series finale at Wrigley, looking to give the Cubs a rubber-game victory after splitting the first two contests. Imanaga's 4.17 ERA and 1.12 WHIP represent solid production, but his velocity has been trending slightly downward in recent starts — averaging just 85-86 mph on his fastball, well below typical for the left-hander. His arsenal of splitters and sweepers remains his primary weapon, and against a Minnesota lineup missing Byron Buxton (right hip strain), he should find favorable matchups throughout. Zebby Matthews opposes for Minnesota, armed with mid-90s heat and a six-pitch mix. His 4.57 ERA and 1.22 WHIP suggest a pitcher who can generate strikeouts but also yields damage when location falters. The Cubs' lineup, though thinned by Matt Shaw's absence (left-hand sprain), still presents left-handed threats like Michael Conforto who can do damage against right-handed starters. Wrigley's conditions — clear sky, 78 degrees, northeast wind at 8 mph blowing in slightly — keep this more of a pitcher-friendly afternoon. Chicago's bullpen is the clear edge here. Despite a staggering nine pitchers on the injured list, the Cubs' active relievers anchored by Thornton (2.48 ERA) and Webb (3.05 ERA) are among the better late-inning units in the NL. Minnesota's bullpen has been taxed by a negative run differential season-long. The Cubs won Game 1 of this series 6-2 and split with a 5-2 loss in Game 2 — home-field advantage and the superior closer corps tip this finale to Chicago.

Scoring Dynamics

Early (1-3) 1R Both starters settle in early, low traffic

Middle (4-6) 4R Cubs leverage platoon matchups vs Matthews

Late (7-9) 3R Bullpen factors in; Cubs pen holds lead

Matchup Analysis

Cubs

Strong home record 28-20

Imanaga elite command/movement

Deep reliable bullpen

Depleted rotation depth (9 arms IL)

Thin lineup data available

Twins

Matthews mid-90s velocity upside

7-3 last ten games form

Brooks Lee power threat

Negative run differential overall

Buxton out, lineup depleted

Risk Factors

Cubs' massive pitching IL list

Matthews' velocity could overpower lineup

Key Matchups

Brooks Lee vs Shota Imanaga pitcher Imanaga's splitter neutralizes right-handed power hitters effectively

Nico Hoerner vs Zebby Matthews batter Hoerner's contact ability exploits Matthews' walk tendencies

Michael Conforto vs Zebby Matthews batter Left-handed hitter with HR pop vs. righty with elevated ERA

Statistical Edges

First to Score Cubs 55%

Strikeouts 15 12-18

Total Runs 8 6-11

Game Preview

Wrigley Field buzzes under a clear July sky as Imanaga toes the rubber for the deciding game of this weekend interleague set. The first two frames pass quietly — Imanaga's splitter draws weak contact, while Matthews' 95-mph heater keeps Chicago's leadoff hitters honest. The Cubs break through in the second inning when Nico Hoerner works a walk and eventually scores on a Michael Conforto base hit to right-center, giving Chicago an early foothold. Minnesota answers in the third when Brooks Lee — the Twins' most dangerous bat in Buxton's absence — fights off a sweeper and drives a double to left, coming home on a Ryan Kreidler single. The game is tied entering the fourth, but the Cubs flex their lineup depth as Hoerner and Conforto string together back-to-back hits, plating two runs and pushing Chicago's advantage to 3-1. Matthews labors through the fifth, surrendering another Minnesota run on a Luke Keaschall RBI groundout, but Chicago adds an insurance run off the Twins bullpen in the sixth. Imanaga works six solid innings before handing the ball to Chicago's bullpen. Thornton and Webb navigate the Twins' middle-order threats in the seventh and eighth despite a Twins rally tally in the seventh. The Cubs' pen slams the door in the ninth, clinching a 5-3 series victory at Wrigley and sending the home crowd home satisfied in the afternoon sunshine.

Cubs hold clear home advantage, superior bullpen, and momentum from yesterday's 6-2 win. Imanaga vs. a Buxton-less Twins lineup favors Chicago, though Matthews' velocity keeps Minnesota competitive. Moderate confidence at 61.

Todennakoiset syottajat

Minnesota Twins — Kokoonpano

Pelaaja	Pos.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Austin Martin	LF	.245	2	20	.356	.321
Alex Jackson	C	.309	1	4	.333	.418
Josh Bell	DH	.249	13	60	.307	.424
Royce Lewis	2B	.217	10	30	.292	.396
Tristan Gray	1B	.232	4	29	.271	.333
Alan Roden	RF	.211	0	3	.286	.211
Luke Keaschall	CF	.263	4	28	.352	.352
Brooks Lee	3B	.249	14	51	.307	.422
Ryan Kreidler	SS	.254	5	24	.318	.420

Chicago Cubs — Kokoonpano

Pelaaja	Pos.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Justin Dean	CF	.400	0	3	.571	.800
Michael Conforto	RF	.241	8	22	.327	.476
Michael Busch	1B	.244	12	52	.370	.403
Alex Bregman	3B	.239	10	43	.336	.362
Kevin Alcántara	LF	.222	0	3	.263	.222
Nico Hoerner	2B	.245	4	43	.314	.341
Pedro Ramírez	DH	.281	1	10	.329	.438
Carson Kelly	C	.269	6	33	.359	.392
Dansby Swanson	SS	.207	16	58	.287	.407

Tulosvedot

▼ 1

Alex Bregman homers (10) on a fly ball to left field. Seiya Suzuki scores.

0-2

▼ 2

Carson Kelly singles on a ground ball to center fielder Luke Keaschall. Pedro Ramírez scores.

0-3

▼ 3

Nico Hoerner triples (1) on a line drive to left fielder Austin Martin, deflected by center fielder Luke Keaschall. Michael Busch scores. Alex Bregman scores. Ian Happ scores.

0-6

▼ 3

Pedro Ramírez singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Luke Keaschall. Nico Hoerner scores.

0-7

▼ 4

Michael Busch singles on a ground ball to left fielder Austin Martin. Pete Crow-Armstrong scores. Seiya Suzuki to 2nd.

0-8

▼ 4

Alex Bregman reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by third baseman Brooks Lee. Seiya Suzuki scores. Michael Busch to 2nd. Fielding error by third baseman Brooks Lee.

0-9

▼ 4

Nico Hoerner singles on a line drive to left fielder Austin Martin. Michael Busch scores.

0-10

▲ 8

Royce Lewis out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Seiya Suzuki. Austin Martin scores. Alex Jackson to 3rd.

1-10

Minnesota Twins — Lyönti

Pelaaja	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OPS
Austin MartinLF	4	1	1	0	0	1	.245	.677
Alex JacksonC	1	0	1	0	0	0	.309	.751
Josh BellDH	3	0	1	0	1	1	.249	.731
Royce Lewis2B	3	0	1	1	0	0	.217	.688
Tristan Gray1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	.232	.604
Alan RodenRF	2	0	0	0	0	0	.211	.497
Luke KeaschallCF	3	0	1	0	1	0	.263	.704
Brooks Lee3B	4	0	1	0	0	1	.249	.729
Ryan KreidlerSS	4	0	1	0	0	0	.254	.738
Yhteensä	32	1	8	1	3	4

BATTING

2B: Lewis, R (12, Imanaga).

TB: Bell; Caratini; Jackson, A; Keaschall; Kreidler; Lee, B; Lewis, R 2; Martin.

RBI: Lewis, R (30).

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Lewis, R; Kreidler; Caratini 2.

SF: Lewis, R.

GIDP: Bell; Kreidler.

Team RISP: 0-for-4.

Team LOB: 8.

FIELDING

E: Lee, B (7, fielding).

DP: (Lewis, R-Kreidler-Caratini).

a-Grounded out for Clemens in the 7th.

Chicago Cubs — Lyönti

Pelaaja	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OPS
Justin DeanCF	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.400	1.371
Michael ConfortoRF	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.241	.803
Michael Busch1B	5	2	3	1	0	1	0	.244	.773
Alex Bregman3B	4	2	2	2	1	0	1	.239	.698
Kevin AlcántaraLF	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.222	.485
Nico Hoerner2B	5	1	2	4	0	2	0	.245	.655
Pedro RamírezDH	4	1	2	1	0	0	0	.281	.767
Carson KellyC	3	0	1	1	1	0	0	.269	.751
Dansby SwansonSS	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.207	.694
Yhteensä	36	10	12	9	6	9	1

BATTING

2B: Suzuki (16, Matthews); Ramírez (5, Matthews); Crow-Armstrong (16, Matthews).

3B: Hoerner (1, Matthews).

HR: Bregman (10, 1st inning off Matthews, 1 on, 2 out).

TB: Bregman 5; Busch 3; Crow-Armstrong 2; Hoerner 4; Kelly, C; Ramírez 3; Suzuki 2.

RBI: Bregman 2 (43); Busch (52); Hoerner 4 (43); Kelly, C (33); Ramírez (10).

2-out RBI: Hoerner; Bregman 2.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Swanson; Hoerner 2.

GIDP: Happ.

Team RISP: 7-for-13.

Team LOB: 8.

FIELDING

E: Suzuki (2, fielding).

DP: 2 (Swanson-Hoerner-Busch; Bregman-Hoerner-Busch).

a-Struck out for Suzuki in the 8th.

Minnesota Twins — Syöttö

Syöttäjä	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Zebby Matthews(L, 4-7)	3.0	9	10	8	3	4	1	87-61	5.40
Travis Adams	3.0	1	0	0	1	2	0	45-26	5.53
Kody Funderburk	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0	14-9	3.91
Woo-Suk Go	1.0	2	0	0	1	2	0	23-13	3.00

Chicago Cubs — Syöttö

Syöttäjä	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	PC-ST	ERA
Shota Imanaga(W, 6-8)	7.0	6	0	0	1	4	99-63	3.91
Phil Maton	1.0	2	1	1	1	0	23-19	6.18
Drew Pomeranz	1.0	0	0	0	1	0	20-11	5.59

Ottelutiedot

Tuomarit: Home Plate: James Jean; First Base: Mark Wegner; Second Base: Bruce Dreckman; Third Base: Nate Tomlinson

Stadion: Wrigley Field, Chicago

Sää: 78°F, Sunny

Tuuli: 7 mph, In From CF

Minnesota Twins — Uutiset

Twins menettävät Abelin ja Festayn kausille lopettaviin vammoihin

Minnesotan kiertoa kutistetaan Ryaniin (2,85 ERA), Bradleyhin (3,85 ERA) ja Oberiin (4,33 ERA) kolmeksi pääasialliseksi vaihtoehdoksi; Matthews (4,57 ERA, 0,33 xwOBA) siirtyy nyt säännöllisiin kiertovelvollisuuksiin 49-50-joukkueelle, joka on jo -15 pisteen erolla matkalla kohti pudotuspelien kilpailuikkunaa.

Mick Abel

David Festa

Minnesota Twins

Twins Vaatii Jack Andersonia Red Soxin Waiversista

Anderson on heittänyt 8,0 innings ERA:n 3,38 ja xwOBA:n 0,372 kanssa kolmessa apulaisen esiintymisessä Bostonille—minimaalinen potentiaali MIN:n bullpenille, joka jo sallii 480 juoksua (kolmanneksi pahin AL Centralissa).

Jack Anderson

Minnesota Twins

Boston Red Sox

Jeffers Palaa Hamatluunmurtumasta Twinsin Puolelle

Jeffers tarvitsi vain viisi kuntouttamispeliä palautuakseen, saapuen .389 xwOBA:lla ja .541 SLG:llä 37 pelin aikana—eliittirynnakkötuotanto, joka merkitsee ottaen huomioon, että Twins istuu 46-48 ja -17 juoksueron kanssa ja luottaa bulpeniä, jossa Rogers kirjaa 5.61 ERA:n ja Orze istuu 5.66:ssa.

Minnesota Twins

Twins Hankkii Tommy Nancen Blue Jaysilta

Nance (ERA 3.82, WHIP 1.27, K/9 9.27) lisää syvyyttä MINin bullpeniin, joka on ollut epäluotettava—Rogers (ERA 5.61), Orze (ERA 5.66) ja Gómez (ERA 3.59, xwOBA 0.347) ovat kaikki kamppailleet. TOR siirtää keskitason releiveä 44-49-joukkueesta, kun taas MIN istuu 46-48 ja tarvitsee vakautta myöhäisemmillä kierroksilla.

Tommy Nance

Toronto Blue Jays

Minnesota Twins

Anthony Banda käy latissimus-leikkauksen kauden päätökseksi

Banda (ERA 4.46, 8.65 K/9 39 pelissä) oli Minnesotan pääasiallinen korkean riskin reliever; hänen menetyksensä pakottaa Twins-joukkueen luottamaan enemmän Gómeziin (ERA 3.59, 38 peliä), kun taas Rogers (ERA 5.61) jatkaa heikolla suorituksella bullpenissä, joka on jo -14 juoksujen eroissa.

Anthony Banda

Minnesota Twins

Chicago Cubs — Uutiset

Cubs Hankkii Aaron Civalen Athleticsiltä

Civale saapuu 5.42 ERA:lla ja 1.62 WHIP:illa 15 alkuottelussa—marginaalisella parannuksella verrattuna Chicagon nykyisiin viiden kierroksen starterin vaihtoehtoihin (Peterson ERA 6.45, Rea ERA 4.74). Cubs' 54-43 tietue ja +49 juoksujen ero viittaavat siihen, että he panevat vetoa syvyyden vakauttamiseen rotaation ankkurin hankkimisen sijaan.

Aaron Civale

Athletics

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Uudelleenkirjoittaa Jake Woodfordin Minor League -sopimukselle

Woodford palaa Minor League -sopimukselle sen jälkeen, kun hän oli kirjannut ERA:n 7,46 ja WHIP:n 1,82 17 apupelaajapainoksessa, joka on selvästi alle Cubs bullpen -standardin, jota johtavat Thornton (ERA 2,48, WHIP 1,00) ja Webb (ERA 3,05).

Jake Woodford

Chicago Cubs

Aaron Bummer Luopuu Cubs Minor League -sopimuksesta

Bummerin 7,63 ERA ja 1,83 WHIP Atlantan kanssa 15,1 inningissa tällä kaudella selittävät Cubsin päätöksen vapauttaa hänet kuuden Minor League -esityksen jälkeen; Chicagon bullpen säilyy Webbin (3,05 ERA, 48 SO) ja Thorntonin (2,48 ERA, 13 SO) tukemana.

Aaron Bummer

Chicago Cubs

Kaupan Määräajan Näkymät: Chicago Cubs

Cubs istuvat 54-42 pisteen diferentiaalilla +52, mutta kohtaavat määräajan päätökset kiertosyvyyden huolista—Peterson (ERA 6,45, WHIP 1,64) ja Rea (ERA 4,75) ankkuroivat keskinivön, joka jää Imanapgan (ERA 4,17, 105 SO) jäljessä. +52 pisteen differenssaali peittää sen, että Chicago on vain 6-4 viimeisten 10 ottelussaan huolimatta viimeaikaisesta voittoputkesta.

Chicago Cubs

Toinen Puoliaika Alkaa: Neljä NL Central -joukkuetta Saavuttaa 50+ Voittoa

Milwaukee (59-37, juoksueroa +126) johtaa täynnä olevaa divisioonaa, jossa Brewers, Cubs (54-42, +52), Cardinals (50-45, +6) ja Pirates (50-47, +44) ovat kaikki saavuttaneet 50 voittoa - NL Centralin syvin lahjakaivo vuonna 2026.

Pittsburgh Pirates