The Cubs lost 5-1 to the Reds on Aug. 5, 2025, as Shota Imanaga's strong start was wasted. With the offense struggling, can Chicago stop the slide?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Friendly Confines felt anything but on Tuesday night as the Chicago Cubs' recent funk deepened into a genuine slump. A listless 5-1 loss to the rival Cincinnati Reds marked their third straight defeat, leaving a frustrated Wrigley Field crowd wondering where the offense has gone and how the team can pull out of this nosedive.
Right now, it's not looking like a good bet.
The story of the game was a familiar, frustrating one: solid starting pitching undone by an anemic offense. Shota Imanaga was sharp, striking out seven over 6 1/3 innings and allowing just one run. But the Cubs' bats were silenced by Reds starter Zack Littell, who was brilliant in his Cincinnati debut. The Cubs managed a paltry four hits all night, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The only spark came from rookie Matt Shaw, whose seventh home run accounted for the lone Chicago run. The game unraveled in the seventh when Spencer Steer launched a three-run homer off Andrew Kittredge, sealing a fate that felt inevitable given the team's inability to generate any real threats.
The on-field struggles were compounded by a dose of harsh reality from the front office. President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer didn't mince words when asked about the recent trade for pitcher Mike Soroka, who landed on the IL after just two innings in a Cubs uniform. 'We knew the velocity was trending down... Right now, it's not looking like a good bet,' Hoyer admitted. While an MRI revealed no structural damage, the candid admission that a key trade deadline acquisition is already looking like a misfire is a tough pill to swallow for a team in the thick of a pennant race.
Amidst the gloom, there is a significant silver lining. Despite dealing prospect Cam Smith to acquire Kyle Tucker, the Cubs' farm system remains one of baseball's elite. The organization still boasts seven players on MLB's Top 100 Prospects list, tied for the most in the league. Farm director Jason Kanzler emphasized the depth in Double-A and Triple-A, a reservoir of talent that can either reinforce the big league club or be used in future trades. It's a crucial reminder that while the present is frustrating, the long-term foundation remains incredibly strong.
Now, all eyes turn to Wednesday's series finale. The Cubs are desperate to snap this losing streak and avoid a demoralizing sweep at the hands of a division rival. The task falls to rookie Cade Horton, who will face the unenviable challenge of dueling Reds All-Star Andrew Abbott. It's a massive test for the young right-hander and a critical moment for a team that needs to find a spark—and fast—before this slide costs them serious ground in the NL Central.
