The Chicago Cubs routed the Milwaukee Brewers 10-3 on July 31, 2025, led by Michael Busch & Shota Imanaga, then acquired P Michael Soroka in a bold trade.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just hours after President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer secured a new contract and declared his intent to aggressively but smartly improve the club, the Chicago Cubs delivered a thunderous statement on and off the field. They didn't just beat the first-place Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night; they dismantled them 10-3 to avoid a sweep. Then, they punctuated the evening by acquiring starting pitcher Michael Soroka from the Nationals, signaling that the hunt for the NL Central crown is officially on.
No one's untouchable... we have a lot of really good prospects and you have to feel like you're getting commensurate value.
The offense wasted no time setting the tone against their division rivals. Michael Busch ambushed the Brewers by launching the game's very first pitch for his 21st home run of the season. The rout was on from there. The Cubs' youth movement was on full display, with Pete Crow-Armstrong scorching two doubles in a 3-for-4 night and rookie catcher Moisés Ballesteros breaking the game open with a bases-clearing double. Veterans joined the party, too, as Ian Happ added a homer and Kyle Tucker drove in two. Starter Shota Imanaga battled through five innings, striking out eight to earn his 8th win and keep the Brewers' bats (mostly) in check, save for two solo shots from William Contreras.
While the bats were booming at Wrigley, the front office was busy adding a much-needed arm. The Cubs acquired right-hander Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals in a significant deadline move. While his 3-8 record and 4.87 ERA might not jump off the page, the underlying numbers tell a more promising story: a crisp 1.13 WHIP and 87 strikeouts in 81.1 innings. Soroka provides immediate depth to a rotation that needs it for the stretch run. The cost was not insignificant, as the Cubs sent two of their top-15 prospects, shortstop Ronny Cruz and outfielder Christian Franklin, to Washington. It's a clear 'win-now' trade, sacrificing future potential for immediate impact.
These moves don't happen in a vacuum. Earlier in the week, the Cubs solidified their leadership by signing Jed Hoyer to a multiyear extension. His deadline philosophy, backed by ownership, is clear: improve the team without mortgaging the entire future. 'No one's untouchable,' Hoyer stated, 'but you have to feel like you're getting commensurate value.' Manager Craig Counsell echoed the sentiment after the win, praising Hoyer's diligence. 'You've got to be responsible to this team and the future of the Cubs, and he's working hard at it,' Counsell said. The Soroka trade perfectly embodies this strategy—parting with valuable prospects, but not the absolute top-tier talent, to address a pressing need.
With one huge win in the books and one new starter acquired, the Cubs have completely changed the narrative heading into the final day of the trade deadline. They are just one game out of first place, their offense is clicking, and the front office has proven it's willing to make the necessary moves. Hoyer is reportedly still in the market for another starter, a reliever, and potentially upgrades at third base and center field. The next 24 hours will be fascinating. The message from Clark and Addison is loud and clear: October is the goal, and the push starts now.
