Seiya Suzuki's 26th homer powers Cubs past Red Sox 4-1 on July 19, 2025. Daniel Palencia closes as Chicago's winning streak continues. Read the recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another beautiful Saturday at Wrigley Field, another notch in the win column. The Chicago Cubs extended their winning streak to three games, dispatching the Boston Red Sox 4-1 to improve to a stellar 58-39 on the season. The victory was a perfect encapsulation of this team's strengths: timely power, shutdown pitching, and a palpable sense that something special is brewing on the North Side.
Daniel Palencia secured the Cubs' 4-1 win by pitching a scoreless ninth inning, featuring a four-seam fastball clocked at 99.3 mph.
The man of the hour was once again Seiya Suzuki, who is putting together a true career year. Suzuki blasted his 26th home run of the season, a shot that not only electrified the crowd but also pushed his RBI total to a remarkable 80. With a .265 batting average and power to spare, he's the engine of this offense. Alongside contributions from guys like Michael Busch, who's quietly slugging .545, Suzuki is ensuring the Cubs have the firepower to compete with anyone.
While the bats provided the lead, the pitching staff slammed the door. The entire staff was brilliant, holding a potent Red Sox lineup to just a single run. After a solid start and key relief work from guys like Caleb Thielbar, who tossed a scoreless frame with two strikeouts, Daniel Palencia took the mound for the ninth and put on a show. Pumping gas at 99.3 mph with a dizzying 2330 rpm spin rate, Palencia was simply untouchable, locking down the save and showcasing the bullpen's formidable depth.
This current success is only fueling the front office's ambition. With the trade deadline fast approaching, President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer is actively looking for upgrades. The urgency is real, especially with Justin Steele out for the year and Jameson Taillon still weeks away. The primary targets are a starting pitcher and a third baseman. Names like Willi Castro, Maikel Garcia, and even Yoan Moncada are being floated as potential fits who could solidify the hot corner for a postseason push.
How can the Cubs afford to shop for impact talent? The answer lies in their organizational strength. The farm system is ranked among the best in baseball, boasting an incredible seven players in MLB's Top 100 prospects. With six of those being position players already at Double-A or Triple-A, the Cubs have a treasure trove of assets. Farm director Jason Kanzler has praised the system's readiness, giving Hoyer the flexibility to either call up reinforcements or swing a blockbuster trade without mortgaging the entire future.
The Cubs are firing on all cylinders, holding firm atop the NL Central. But the victory over Boston feels like a prelude to an even bigger story. With a winning formula on the field and a wealth of assets off it, the next two weeks leading up to the trade deadline will define this team's championship aspirations. The message from the front office is clear: they're not just happy to be here, they're aiming to build a team that can win it all in October.
