Cubs beat Yankees 4-1 on July 13, 2025, as Imanaga shines & Swanson homers. See how Chicago capped a historic first half before adding a top draft pick.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a way to head into the All-Star break. The Chicago Cubs aren't just winning; they're making statements. After capping a phenomenal first half by silencing the Yankees in their own ballpark, the front office immediately pivoted to the future, nabbing a high-upside outfielder in the first round of the MLB Draft. It's a perfect snapshot of the 2025 Cubs: a team built to contend right now, with a pipeline of talent ensuring the window stays open for years to come.
With 57 wins, the Cubs head into the All-Star break with their best first-half record since the dominant 2008 season.
Sunday's 4-1 victory in the Bronx was a masterclass. Shota Imanaga was surgical, carving up the Yankee lineup for seven innings and making Aaron Judge look human with two strikeouts. The offense provided the juice, starting literally on the second pitch of the game when Michael Busch, in his first-ever start as a leadoff hitter, launched a tone-setting home run. After the Yanks tied it, it was Dansby Swanson who delivered the clutch blow, a go-ahead two-run shot in the sixth. Even with Cody Bellinger's 17-game hitting streak coming to an end on his 30th birthday, the team found a way to win, proving their depth and resilience.
The good news kept rolling on Monday as the Cubs used the 17th overall pick to select Ethan Conrad, a dynamic left-handed outfielder from Wake Forest. Before a shoulder injury cut his season short, Conrad was putting up video-game numbers, slashing .372/.495/.744. He's praised for elite bat speed and power potential, combined with solid defense in center field. In a post-draft interview, a thrilled Conrad called the moment 'super crazy,' and Cubs fans should be just as excited to add another potential cornerstone to the organization.
Conrad's selection only adds to what is already one of baseball's most envied farm systems. Even after dealing prospects for big-league talent, the Cubs boast seven players in MLB's Top 100, tied for the most in the sport. Led by names like Owen Caissie, Moisés Ballesteros, and Jefferson Rojas, the system is teeming with position players nearing MLB-readiness. As farm director Jason Kanzler noted, this depth gives the front office incredible flexibility, providing a steady stream of internal reinforcements and powerful trade chips for the deadline.
So, as the players enjoy a well-deserved break, the front office gets to work on the rest of the draft and weighs its options for the upcoming trade deadline. The Cubs are winning now, building for tomorrow, and have the assets to make a serious push in the second half. Enjoy the All-Star festivities, Cubs fans. The stretch run, starting Friday against Boston at a buzzing Wrigley Field, promises to be a wild ride.
