Cubs fall to Phillies 7-2 on June 11 as Jesús Luzardo dominates. The loss highlights Jed Hoyer's urgent search for pitching before the 2025 trade deadline.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some losses feel bigger than just one game on the schedule. Wednesday's 7-2 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies was one of them. It wasn't just a loss; it was a 9-inning demonstration of the very problem Cubs President Jed Hoyer addressed just hours earlier: this team, despite its first-place standing, desperately needs starting pitching. As the Cubs' bats were silenced and another starter struggled, Hoyer's words about targeting arms at the trade deadline echoed louder than any crack of the bat at Citizens Bank Park.
The front office is 'in the information-gathering stage'... pitching is the top priority for a first-place club with strong playoff odds.
On the field, the story was one of frustration. Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo was masterful, racking up 10 strikeouts over seven dominant innings. The Cubs' offense, which has carried the team so often, was largely held in check, managing only a solo home run from Ian Happ and a late RBI from Seiya Suzuki. Starter Ben Brown, pressed into duty due to the rotation's health crisis, couldn't hold back a potent Phillies lineup, surrendering early runs that put the Cubs in a hole they couldn't escape. Former Cub Kyle Schwarber added to the pain with his 21st homer of the year, while Alec Bohm drove in four runs to seal the 7-2 victory for Philadelphia.
Before the game, Jed Hoyer laid out the team's battle plan for the next six weeks. Speaking to the media, he made it unequivocally clear that acquiring starting pitching is the organization's number one priority ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. 'We're in the information-gathering stage,' Hoyer stated, confirming that the front office is actively monitoring the market. For a first-place team with legitimate championship aspirations, patching the holes in the rotation isn't just a want; it's a necessity, and Hoyer's public declaration signals that the Cubs are ready to be aggressive to make it happen.
You can't blame Hoyer for his urgency. The Cubs' starting rotation has been decimated by an almost unbelievable string of injuries. The anchor, Justin Steele, is lost for the season after elbow surgery. Ace-level performer Shota Imanaga is on the IL with a hamstring issue, as is Jordan Wicks. Meanwhile, Javier Assad is still working his way back from an oblique strain. That's four key starters on the shelf. The fact that the Cubs are still leading the division is a testament to their lineup, defense, and bullpen, but it's an unsustainable model for a deep playoff run.
While the big league club scrambles, the future continues to look bright down on the farm. The system's strength is providing some immediate relief, with 21-year-old catcher/first baseman Moises Ballesteros recently getting the call to the majors after a stellar start in Triple-A. He's not the only one making noise. Jonathon Long has been one of the best hitters in the International League, Cristian Hernandez is breaking out at High-A, and hard-throwing pitcher Will Sanders just earned a promotion to Iowa. This impressive depth, even after the Kyle Tucker trade, ensures the Cubs have a bright future and potential trade chips to help the present.
Wednesday's loss was a tough pill to swallow, but it also brought clarity. The problem is obvious, and the front office has publicly committed to solving it. While the team navigates its injury crisis with grit and depth, all eyes now turn to Jed Hoyer and the calendar. The next six weeks will define the Cubs' season. With the team still in first place, the foundation is solid. Now, it's time to build the reinforcements needed for a long October run.
