Seiya Suzuki lofted an eighth-inning pitch from Reds reliever Graham Ashcraft high down the right-field line, where Wrigley Field’s brick side wall runs narrowly close to the chalk line. The old ballpark’s unique dimensions created an opening for a much-needed run on Saturday.

When Drew Pomeranz stepped out to open Saturday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds for the Chicago Cubs, it looked like manager Craig Counsell was going with

Cubs pitcher Ben Brown's first-inning ERA this season was 9.90, while in the second and third innings, the ERA dropped all the way to 0.90. Fixing his issues on the mound couldn't possibly be as

Craig Counsell is willing to try new things to get the Cubs' rotation back on track.

Neither starter distinguished himself. Ben Brown gave up four runs in the first inning, then retired 10 straight Reds before getting lit up in the fifth. Nick Lodolo allowed the Cubs two runs in the first inning and one in the third before settling down.

Explore the Cubs’ three most disappointing players of 2025 and how their struggles could impact Chicago’s World Series hopes.

The Chicago Cubs are off to a red-hot 35-21 start in 2025, their best opening stretch since the historic 2016 World Series season. Powered by one of baseball’s most explosive offenses, the Cubs have quickly established themselves as a top-tier National League contender.