The Guardians lost 1-0 to the Cubs on July 4, 2025, extending their losing streak to seven games. A Matt Shaw sac fly sealed the loss amid off-field drama.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
While the rest of the country celebrated with fireworks on July 4th, the Cleveland Guardians were left with nothing but duds. The team's frustrating season hit a new low with a 1-0 extra-inning loss to the Chicago Cubs, extending their season-worst losing streak to a painful seven games. The silence from the Guardians' bats was deafening, spoiling a solid pitching performance and leaving fans to wonder where the team goes from here.
The Guardians are 9-19 since June 1, a freefall capped by their current seven-game losing streak.
Thursday's contest at Wrigley Field was a classic pitcher's duel that ultimately turned into another chapter of frustration. The Guardians' pitching staff was admirable, holding the potent Cubs offense scoreless through nine innings. But the bats simply couldn't provide any support. The game remained deadlocked at 0-0 until the 10th, when rookie Matt Shaw's sacrifice fly was just enough to score Nico Hoerner and hand Cleveland yet another loss. It's the kind of defeat that stings the most—one where the pitching gives you every chance to win, but the offense remains lifeless.
Adding a layer of serious concern to the on-field problems was the sudden news concerning starter Luis Ortiz. Just before the game, it was announced that Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary leave due to an active MLB investigation into gambling. This bombshell news explains the surprise start by Joey Cantillo, who performed well under the circumstances, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings. While the details of the investigation are still emerging, the situation casts a dark shadow over the organization and removes a key piece from the rotation at the worst possible time.
The seven-game slide isn't about bad luck; it's about a complete and total power outage at the plate. Being shut out in a 1-0 game is just the latest, most glaring example. Since the calendar flipped to June, the team has been in a tailspin, posting a dismal 9-19 record. The pitching has often been good enough, but you can't win if you can't score. Key players are in slumps, situational hitting is non-existent, and the pressure is mounting with every quiet inning. The front office has remained quiet on the trade front, but with the offense in this state, the pressure to make a move is intensifying.
As the Guardians look to salvage their series against the Cubs and, more importantly, their season, the path forward is unclear. They need to find a spark—any spark—to ignite this dormant offense. The team must rally together to overcome not only their struggles between the lines but also the unsettling distraction of the Ortiz investigation. Breaking this seven-game streak is the first and only priority, as a season that once held promise is now desperately trying to stay afloat.
