The Cubs defeated the Orioles 8-4 on Aug 1, 2025, with homers from Pete Crow-Armstrong & Seiya Suzuki. See how their deadline moves bolster a playoff push.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Wrigley Field was buzzing Friday night, and for good reason. The Cubs dismantled a tough Orioles team 8-4, powered by a barrage of home runs that felt like a statement. But the real story of the day wasn't just the win; it was the quiet confidence of a front office that just navigated a tricky trade deadline, adding key pieces without mortgaging the future. This is a team built to win now, but on its own terms.
From a starting pitching standpoint, it was a really tight market... We felt the asking price was something we couldn't do to the future. - Jed Hoyer
The perfect response to a quiet deadline? An offensive explosion. The Cubs put on a show for the home crowd, with Pete Crow-Armstrong launching his 27th home run of the season for 3 RBIs and Seiya Suzuki adding his 26th blast. Not to be outdone, Nico Hoerner was a sparkplug, going 3-for-4 and scoring twice. On the mound, ace Justin Steele was his usual self, delivering a quality start of 6 innings with 7 strikeouts while allowing just two runs. When the Orioles threatened in the 7th, Dansby Swanson flashed the leather, turning a crucial inning-ending double play to preserve the lead. At 64-45, this win was a powerful declaration that this roster has the firepower to compete.
While the players provided the noise, Jed Hoyer made two calculated, quiet additions. The Cubs acquired super utility man Willi Castro from the Twins, a versatile weapon who has played six positions this year and provides an immediate answer at third base. They also bolstered the bullpen by trading for veteran lefty Taylor Rogers from the Pirates, who brings a stellar 2.45 ERA to the North Side. These weren't blockbuster moves, but they were smart, targeted acquisitions that add depth and shore up specific weaknesses for the stretch run without gutting the farm system.
Many fans were clamoring for a top-of-the-rotation starter, but Jed Hoyer stood firm. In his media session, he revealed the asking price for rental arms was simply too high, a cost he wasn't willing to pay with the club's future. This discipline is reflected in the farm system's health. While the rankings dipped from No. 12 to No. 16 post-deadline, the Cubs protected their elite talent. Top prospect Moises Ballesteros and the other four prospects in MLB Pipeline's Top 100 remain in the organization. The real victory of this deadline wasn't who the Cubs acquired, but who they kept.
With the deadline drama in the rearview mirror, the path forward is clear. The Cubs have their roster, a blend of homegrown stars, savvy veterans, and now, two key reinforcements. The front office made its bet: that this core, led by a dominant Justin Steele and a potent offense, is good enough to win the NL Central and make noise in October without selling the farm. Now, it's up to the players on the field to prove them right. The stretch run starts now.
