Cubs beat White Sox 2-1 on July 27, 2025, as Ben Brown's 7 shutout innings & Matt Shaw's clutch hit clinch the Crosstown series & a tie for first place.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a tense, gritty finale on the South Side, the Chicago Cubs didn't just win a baseball game; they made a statement. With a 2-1 victory over the White Sox, the Cubs clinched the Crosstown Classic series, and thanks to a Brewers loss, vaulted into a tie for first place in the NL Central. It was a classic team win, fueled by Ben Brown's masterful pitching and a go-ahead knock from a rookie who is quickly proving he belongs.
You gain confidence through this. You believe in your stuff. You know it’s good enough.
The story of Sunday's victory was written on the mound by Ben Brown. The right-hander was simply untouchable, carving up the White Sox lineup for seven shutout innings. He scattered just two hits and struck out nine, looking every bit the top-of-the-rotation arm the Cubs need. The offense provided just enough support. Seiya Suzuki broke a scoreless tie in the 6th with a solo blast, and after the Sox tied it, rookie Matt Shaw delivered the decisive blow with a clutch RBI single in the 8th. Héctor Neris slammed the door in the ninth for his 25th save, sealing a massive series win and pushing the Cubs' record to 61-43.
Matt Shaw's game-winner is just the latest example of the Cubs' youth movement paying huge dividends. Manager Craig Counsell has consistently put his trust in the kids, and they are rewarding him. Look no further than Cade Horton, the rookie right-hander who has been a revelation. Over his last four starts, Horton boasts a minuscule 1.52 ERA, including three scoreless outings. 'You gain confidence through this,' Counsell said of Horton's development. 'You believe in your stuff. You know it’s good enough.' That confidence is spreading throughout the roster, as the team's ability to seamlessly integrate young, impactful talent has become a defining feature of their first-place charge.
While the kids are thriving, the front office isn't standing pat. With the MLB trade deadline just days away, the Cubs are reportedly active in the starting pitching market. Names like MacKenzie Gore, Joe Ryan, and Edward Cabrera are being floated as potential targets to bolster the rotation for the stretch run. Help could also come from within, as both Javier Assad and Jameson Taillon are progressing in their rehabs and nearing a return from the injured list. Whether through a blockbuster trade or the return of key veterans, the Cubs are clearly looking to add firepower for a deep October run.
The Cubs' ability to swing a major trade is thanks to one of the deepest farm systems in baseball. Even after dealing Cam Smith in the Kyle Tucker deal, the organization still has seven players on MLB's Top 100 Prospects list, tied for the most in the league. This depth is a dual-threat weapon. As farm director Jason Kanzler noted, having so many MLB-ready players at Triple-A 'helps us a lot' at the trade deadline. This embarrassment of riches gives the front office the flexibility to either acquire a star player without gutting the future or simply continue promoting from within to fill any gaps that arise.
The Crosstown Cup is back on the North Side, but the celebration will be short-lived. All the grit, all the development, and all the front-office maneuvering has led to this moment. The Cubs now travel to Milwaukee for a three-game series against the Brewers, their co-leaders in the division. It’s more than just a series; it’s a battle for sole possession of first place. The stakes couldn't be higher. Get ready, Cubs fans, the most important week of the season is here.
