Javier Báez haunts his former team as the Tigers edge the Cubs 4-3 on June 7, 2025. Despite homers from Suzuki & Crow-Armstrong, Báez's clutch hit decides it.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a playoff atmosphere in Detroit on Saturday, but unfortunately, it came with a heartbreaking result for the North Siders. In a game that felt more like October than June, former Cub favorite Javier Báez delivered the decisive blow, leading the Tigers to a 4-3 victory over Chicago in a tense, back-and-forth affair at Comerica Park.
It was the familiar, electric sight of Javier Báez at the plate in a key moment, but this time it was his clutch two-run single that broke a tie and ultimately sank his former team.
The game lived up to its billing as a marquee matchup, with Jameson Taillon and Tigers ace Jack Flaherty trading blows. The Cubs' power came from solo shots, with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki both going deep to keep things close. Taillon pitched well enough to win on most nights but was tagged with the tough loss. Despite the defeat, which moves the Cubs to a still-strong 39-25, it was a reminder of the razor-thin margins they'll face on their path to a division title.
Manager Craig Counsell, looking to ignite the offense after a quiet night on Friday, rolled out a new-look lineup. Ian Happ led off, Seiya Suzuki hit third, and Dansby Swanson was slotted into the cleanup spot. While the power was there, the team struggled to string hits together, a theme that has emerged recently. The strategic shuffling shows Counsell is actively searching for the right combination to unlock consistent run production as the season's crucial midpoint approaches.
Even in a loss, the long-term outlook remains incredibly bright. The Cubs' farm system continues to be the envy of baseball, churning out high-level talent. Catcher Moises Ballesteros, just 21, has already shown flashes of his elite hitting tool in the big leagues, while pitcher Will Sanders just earned a well-deserved promotion to Triple-A Iowa after dominating at Double-A. With prospects like Jonathon Long and Cristian Hernandez also rising, the Cubs' pipeline is brimming with talent that can either help the major league club directly or be used as powerful trade chips.
The loss to the Tigers serves as a perfect case study for why the Cubs are projected to be major players at the trade deadline. They have the core of a championship contender, but a key bullpen arm or another impact bat could be the difference-maker. Thanks to the wealth of talent in the farm system, President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has the assets to make a significant splash without mortgaging the entire future. Expect the front office to be aggressive in exploring ways to bolster this roster for a deep October run.
While today's loss to a tough Tigers team stings, especially with a former hero delivering the final blow, it doesn't change the big picture. The Cubs are a top-tier team with a clear path to the postseason. The real story over the next six weeks will be how the front office leverages its incredible organizational depth to turn this contender into an undeniable powerhouse. On to the next one.
