The White Sox crushed the Cubs 12-5 on July 26, 2025, as ace Shota Imanaga imploded in his worst start. Get the full recap of the crosstown shellacking.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
There are losses, and then there's what happened Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field. In a game that was supposed to be a marquee matchup in the crosstown rivalry, the Cubs were handed a brutal 12-5 beatdown by the White Sox, underscored by the most shocking development of all: a complete meltdown from ace Shota Imanaga.
Shota Imanaga allowed 7 runs on 12 hits in just 3+ innings, matching his shortest and worst outing in Major League Baseball.
It was over almost before it began. Shota Imanaga, the rock of the Cubs rotation all season, was simply not himself. He was tagged for a staggering 7 runs on 12 hits, lasting only three-plus innings in a performance that left fans stunned. The White Sox pounced, launching four home runs off Cubs pitching, with Colson Montgomery, Austin Slater, Mike Tauchman, and rookie Chase Meidroth all going deep. By the time Reese McGuire hit a three-run homer in the seventh, the Cubs were already trailing 11-0. It was too little, far too late against White Sox starter Adrian Houser, who cruised.
Somehow, amidst the wreckage of this four-losses-in-five-games slump, there's a silver lining. The Milwaukee Brewers also lost on Friday, meaning the Cubs (60-43) remain just a single game behind them (61-42) in the NL Central. While it's a relief not to lose ground, this loss serves as a blaring alarm. A team with championship aspirations can't afford these kinds of lopsided defeats, especially with the pitching staff already stretched thin.
This game couldn't have made the front office's to-do list any clearer. With the trade deadline fast approaching, President Jed Hoyer is on the clock. The season-ending injury to Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon's extended absence have made acquiring a starting pitcher and bullpen help a top priority. But the needs don't stop there. The team is also reportedly targeting a power-hitting third baseman, with names like Willi Castro, Maikel Garcia, and even Yoan Moncada being whispered. Thankfully, the Cubs' farm system, with seven Top 100 prospects, provides the capital to make a significant move.
The immediate task of turning the page falls on the shoulders of a rookie. Right-hander Cade Horton (3-3, 4.04 ERA) will take the mound Saturday against the White Sox's Aaron Civale. It's a massive spot for the young pitcher, who has shown flashes of brilliance this season with 47 strikeouts in 62.1 innings. The Cubs desperately need him to play the role of stopper and put an end to this skid. A strong performance from Horton could be just the jolt of confidence the team needs.
Friday was a night to forget, a humbling reminder of the team's vulnerabilities. But Saturday is a new day. With a rookie on the mound looking to make a statement and the front office poised to make season-defining moves, the next few days will be critical. This loss was a gut punch, but the fight for the NL Central is far from over.
