The Houston Astros fell to the Chicago Cubs 6-4 on June 29, 2025, as a late bullpen collapse spoiled a solid start by Framber Valdez. Read how the loss snapped their streak.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a Sunday showdown that felt more like October than June, the Houston Astros went toe-to-toe with the Chicago Cubs, but ultimately fell short. Both teams entered Minute Maid Park with identical 49-34 records, setting the stage for a classic clash. Despite a hot-hitting Jeremy Peña and another RBI from Isaac Paredes, a late-inning rally by the Cubs and a faltering bullpen handed the Astros a 6-4 loss, snapping a recent winning streak.
Framber Valdez entered the game with an 8-4 record, a 2.88 ERA, and a 61% groundball rate, ranking him among the top 15 pitchers in MLB.
The marquee matchup lived up to its billing for most of the afternoon. Ace Framber Valdez battled Chicago's Jameson Taillon, but the difference came down to the relief corps. After Valdez pitched deep into the game, the Astros' bullpen couldn't slam the door, allowing the Cubs to stage a late comeback that proved decisive. While the loss stings, there were bright spots on offense. Jeremy Peña stayed locked in at the plate, and Isaac Paredes continued to be an RBI machine, padding his team-leading total. Still, it wasn't enough to overcome the Cubs' clutch hitting and bullpen efficiency.
Despite taking the loss, Framber Valdez continued to showcase why he's the anchor of this rotation. His performance was a microcosm of his season: inducing weak contact and keeping hitters off balance. His elite 61% groundball rate was on display, but a few key hits found their way through. While his record now stands at 8-5, his sub-3.00 ERA tells the real story of his dominance. Sunday's game was a stark reminder that even a great start needs bullpen support to translate into a win.
While the big-league club deals with the day-to-day grind, the organizational pipeline continues to be a focus. The team is still without first baseman Zach Dezenzo, who remains on the IL with a hand injury, highlighting the need for depth. That depth is coming from a farm system that's outperforming its preseason #29 ranking. We're seeing the fruits of that labor with outfielders Cam Smith and Jacob Melton becoming everyday MLB players. With pitchers like Miguel Ullola and Bryce Mayer emerging as future options, the Astros are proving they can build from within.
One loss, even a tough one to a fellow contender, doesn't define a season. However, it does put a magnifying glass on the team's needs. The AL West race is heating up, and the Astros will need to clean up their late-inning execution to stay on top. With the offense clicking and the farm system producing reinforcements, the pieces are there. Now it's about putting them all together consistently as the second half of the season approaches.
