The Cubs seek revenge vs. the Phillies on June 10 after a heartbreaking 4-3 loss. Kyle Tucker's late heroics weren't enough. Can Colin Rea stop the skid?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
There are losses, and then there are losses that sting. Last night's 4-3, 11-inning defeat to the Phillies was the latter. After Kyle Tucker delivered what felt like a game-winning RBI double, the Cubs couldn't hold on, dropping their third game in the last four. Tonight, with the sting still fresh, they get an immediate chance at redemption in the City of Brotherly Love.
Pete Crow-Armstrong joins Mike Trout and Mitchell Page as the only players to reach 25 homers, 100 RBIs, and 50 stolen bases in their first 200 career games.
It was a classic baseball rollercoaster. The Cubs battled for 10 innings, and in the top of the 11th, marquee acquisition Kyle Tucker ripped a double to give them the lead. It felt like the slump-buster they needed. But it wasn't to be. The Phillies answered in the bottom half and walked it off, leaving the Cubs with a bitter taste and a 40-26 record that feels a little less shiny today. These are the kinds of losses that can define a stretch of the season, for better or worse.
Tonight, the task falls to veteran Colin Rea (4-2, 3.59 ERA) to play stopper. He'll face a tough challenge in Phillies' young gun Mick Abel, who has been electric with a 0.79 ERA in his early big-league appearances. The Cubs' lineup will need to be sharp from the jump. Ian Happ leads off again, followed by Tucker at DH, Seiya Suzuki in right, and the red-hot Pete Crow-Armstrong in center. The goal is simple: score early and give Rea some breathing room.
Even in a tough stretch, there are reminders of the incredible talent on this roster. Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong recently played his 200th MLB game, and his early-career numbers are historic. With 27 homers, 102 RBIs, and 50 stolen bases, he's in the company of legends like Mike Trout. It's a testament to his five-tool ability and a huge reason for optimism. PCA's dynamic play will be crucial tonight, both at the plate and in the field.
Worried about the cost of acquiring a star like Kyle Tucker? Don't be. Even after trading top prospect Cam Smith, the Cubs' farm system is the envy of baseball. They are tied for the most prospects on MLB's Top 100 list with seven, six of whom are position players. Many of these future stars, like Matt Shaw starting at third base tonight, are already contributing or could be up by the end of the season. The Cubs are built to win now and later.
Tonight's game at Citizens Bank Park is more than just another contest in a 162-game season. It's a test of resolve. Can the Cubs flush last night's painful loss and get back on track against a tough opponent? A win tonight wouldn't just even the series; it could be the spark that reignites this talented team for the summer grind ahead.
