The Cubs fell to the Astros 2-0 on June 29, 2025, as Jose Altuve's homer backed Framber Valdez's gem. See how Chicago's offense sputtered in the loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a frustrating Sunday afternoon in Houston for the Chicago Cubs, who saw a strong pitching performance undone by a silent offense. The team dropped the series finale to the Astros 2-0, with a single swing of the bat by Jose Altuve proving to be the difference. Despite keeping it close, the Cubs couldn't solve Astros starter Framber Valdez, leaving fans wondering where the run support went.
The Cubs loaded the bases in the seventh inning, their best chance of the day, only to see Michael Busch, Vidal Bruján, and Ian Happ retired in succession to end the threat.
Jameson Taillon battled on the mound but was ultimately tagged with the loss, falling to 7-6 on the season. His one mistake was a costly one: a two-run homer served up to Jose Altuve in the fifth inning that accounted for all the game's scoring. Taillon's final line was 4 2/3 innings pitched, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out four. On the other side, Framber Valdez was masterful, tossing six shutout innings and allowing just five hits to completely neutralize the Chicago lineup.
While the offense sputtered, the Cubs' bullpen was lights out. After Taillon's exit, the trio of Ryan Brasier, Ryan Pressly, and Brad Keller came in and slammed the door on the Astros. They combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and keeping the game within reach. It was a textbook relief performance that unfortunately went to waste, highlighting the frustrating nature of the loss.
The story of the day was the offense, or lack thereof. The Cubs scattered just five hits and couldn't string anything together against Valdez and the Astros' bullpen. Their golden opportunity came in the seventh inning when they loaded the bases, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. But the rally died as quickly as it started, with Bryan Abreu striking out Michael Busch and inducing weak contact from Vidal Bruján and Ian Happ to escape the jam unscathed. Leaving those runners stranded was the back-breaker.
On a positive note, the team escaped Houston with no new injuries or roster moves to report. The focus now shifts, and for fans looking for a silver lining, the farm system remains a point of strength. Even after recent trades, the Cubs boast seven players in MLB's Top 100 prospects. Farm director Jason Kanzler recently noted the abundance of 'big-league-ready talent' at Triple-A, a resource that could prove crucial for reinforcements or future trades as the deadline approaches.
It's a tough pill to swallow, but one loss doesn't define a season. The Cubs (48-34) will get a much-needed day off before heading to Cleveland for a three-game set. With Matthew Boyd (7-3, 2.65 ERA) taking the mound on Tuesday, the team will look to reset and reignite the offense. This team has shown its resilience before, and they'll need to find that spark again to bounce back against the Guardians.
