AP Photo/Erin Hooley

The Rundown: Cubs Finally Gain Game in NL Central, Horton Kicks Off Five-Game Set With Brewers, MLB Looking Into Realignment

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterAugust 18, 2025

“Did you ever see the film where a man is given spectacles to make the world look upside-down? He falls about the place, but in time he somehow readjusts. And when they take the glasses off the eyes he’s always had see sky below him…and he falls again.” – Hold That Thought by Ben Folds Five

I’m currently in concussion protocol, so this may be somewhat shorter than my usual posts. Got my cage rattled pretty hard on Thursday when I tripped and fell into my bathtub. My first official senior moment, ain’t life grand?

At least I have no need to blame the accompanying nausea I’m dealing with on the Cubs, who somehow managed to take two of three boring games from the Pirates. Chicago’s rotation is in mid-October form, but its offense might need some time at the spring training complex in Arizona. No one is more in need of an offensive uptick than Kyle Tucker, who was booed back to the bench during Sunday’s contest.

Let’s focus on the positive. Milwaukee finally lost and the Cubs closed that nasty gap on the Brewers to eight games. The challenge of winning the NL Central is still daunting, so winning the first of today’s five-game set with the Brew Crew is tantamount. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad Cade Horton is taking the bump in Game 1. Hopefully, he and his teammates set the right tone for the remaining four games.

As far as Tucker is concerned, he looks like he needs a stint on the IL. The front office should make that call so Craig Counsell has no choice but to start rookie outfielder Owen Caissie.

Cubs News & Notes

Ball Four

How do we feel about 12-to-15 Cubs-White Sox games each season? I hope Nashville gets a team and plays in the same division. I’ll make that road trip every year.

Central Intelligence

How About That!

The Mets beat the Mariners 7-3 in this year’s Little League Classic.

The Phillies placed star pitcher Zack Wheeler on the 15-day IL with a right upper extremity blood clot. Wheeler is out indefinitely as a result.

Twins shortstop Brooks Lee hit his first career grand slam off of fishing buddy and former teammate Chris Paddack.

The best race in baseball might be between the Dodgers and Padres in the NL West.

The Astros and Mariners are positioning themselves for a wild finish, too.

Extra Innings

The Cubs have their number three postseason starter behind Shōta Imanaga and Matthew Boyd.

And Now for Something Really Important…

We’ve entered the part of summer where my baseball timeline is filled up with Bears’ stuff. If you’re a fan, give me your prediction for this season. I’ve got the Monsters of the Midway finishing with a 9-8 record and a playoff berth.

They Said It

  • “Normally, I don’t really show much emotion out there or anything. I just try to do my job. But it’s been tough over the last two months or so. Just got to keep going.” – Tucker
  • “You miss pitches that you hit generally, and it makes you ask: ‘Why am I missing those pitches?’ That’s it. Because [Kyle’s] plate discipline has been really strong still. But when you miss those pitches that you normally hit hard, hit far, you ask yourself: ‘Why?’ And I think that’s what he’s going through.” – Counsell
  • “What’s so great about [the Brewers]? I mean, they’re playing good. They’re playing great. They haven’t lost since we played them.” – Counsell
  • “We’re still a really good team regardless of how the last couple weeks or whatever has gone. We’re still in a playoff hunt right now and in the playoffs currently, so we don’t change our course just because [we] might lose a few games or whatever here and there.” – Tucker

Monday Walk-Up Song

Thought I’d share one of my favorite songs with you all this morning.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterAugust 18, 2025
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