Red-hot Chicago Cubs (38-23) take their 16-of-21 win streak to Detroit vs. Tigers' ace Tarik Skubal on June 6, 2025. Can PCA lead Cubs past Skubal?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Wrigleyville is buzzing, and for good reason! Your Chicago Cubs are not just winning; they're dominating, rolling into Detroit with an incredible 16 wins in their last 21 outings and fresh off their seventh consecutive series triumph after handling the Nationals. But tonight, a true test awaits as they square off against the Detroit Tigers and their ace, Tarik Skubal, who's been virtually untouchable.
Pete Crow-Armstrong isn't just hitting home runs; he's launching them at an elite pace. With a team-leading 16 homers and 53 RBI, he's 7th in MLB in dingers and 3rd in runs batted in!
The Cubs (38-23) are undeniably one of baseball's hottest teams. Their recent stretch has been nothing short of spectacular, punctuated by that 7-1 dismantling of Washington. A huge part of this success? The bullpen. These guys have been lights out, boasting a mind-boggling 0.74 ERA over the last 19 games. In the Washington series alone, they didn't allow a single earned run in 12 1/3 innings. That’s how you build a seven-series winning streak and establish yourself as a legitimate National League contender. Over their last 10 games, the team is 8-2, averaging 4.6 runs per game with a stellar 2.47 team ERA.
While the pitching has been stellar, the offense has been providing plenty of fireworks. Leading the charge is a name that's quickly becoming a household favorite: Pete Crow-Armstrong. PCA isn't just hitting home runs; he's launching them at an elite pace. With a team-leading 16 homers and 53 RBI, he's not just a Cub standout – he's 7th in MLB in dingers and 3rd in runs batted in! His power surge has been a game-changer. And let's not forget the impact of Kyle Tucker. Since arriving from Houston in the Cam Smith trade, Tucker has been a consistent force, batting .283 with 11 doubles, 4 triples, 12 home runs (24th in MLB), and 42 RBI (22nd in MLB). Add in Seiya Suzuki's 53 RBI and Nico Hoerner's team-best .294 average, and you've got an offense that can hang with anyone.
Tonight's game against the formidable Tigers (41-22) presents a significant hurdle in the form of Tarik Skubal. The Tigers' ace is on an incredible run himself, having pitched 16 consecutive scoreless innings in his last two starts. Breaking that streak will be paramount for the Cubs to get their offense rolling and continue their impressive run of six wins against the spread in their last 10 chances. It’ll be a true test of wills, pitting the Cubs' hot bats against one of the league's most dominant pitchers.
Even with the aggressive move to acquire a talent like Tucker, which involved sending Top 100 prospect Cam Smith to the Astros, the Cubs' future remains incredibly bright. The organization still boasts seven players on MLB's Top 100 Prospects list – tied for the most in baseball! What's even more exciting is that six of these are position players, and as farm director Jason Kanzler pointed out, 'all but one could potentially contribute to the major league team during the 2025 season.' Kanzler also hinted at the strategic advantage this depth provides: 'It's natural that they're going to eventually start pooling in Double-A and Triple-A. At the Trade Deadline, teams will probably want some guys that are big league ready, and if we have lots of big league ready players in Triple-A, that helps us a lot.' This depth not only promises sustained success but also offers valuable trade chips if needed.
The Cubs are firing on all cylinders – dominant pitching, powerful offense, and a deep farm system ensuring the good times keep rolling. Tonight's matchup against Skubal and the Tigers is a fantastic litmus test. Can they extend their winning ways against one of the AL's best? Tune in and find out, because this Cubs team is proving they're built for a deep run in 2025!
