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Source: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/index.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><feed
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
xmlns:thr="http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0"
xml:lang="en-US"
>
<title type="text">Bleed Cubbie Blue</title>
<subtitle type="text">Your best source for quality Chicago Cubs news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.</subtitle>
<updated>2025-08-23T03:03:58+00:00</updated>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com" />
<id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/index.xml</id>
<link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/index.xml" />
<entry>
<author>
<name>Al Yellon</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Angels, Friday 8/22, 8:38 CT]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads/192138/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-angels-friday-8-22-838-ct" />
<id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/192138/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-brewers-thursday-8-21-120-ct</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T09:21:44-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T23:05:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com" term="Chicago Cubs game threads" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[——]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bleedcubbieblue.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2025/08/imagn-26898346.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
——
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Josh Timmers</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Cubs Minor League Wrap: August 22 Iowa snatches win]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-minor-leagues-prospects/192233/cubs-minor-league-wrap-august-22-iowa-snatches-win" />
<id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/?p=192233</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T23:03:58-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T23:03:58-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com" term="Chicago Cubs minor leagues and prospects" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[The Cubs’ 12th-round pick last month, right-hander Connor Spencer, and their 17th-round pick, catcher Logan Poteet, were both assigned to High-A South Bend. South Bend left-hander Evan Aschenbeck was put on the Development List. Smokies right-hander Wil Jensen was activated off the 60-day injured list. Smokies right-hander Jozhan Oquendo was released. Iowa Cubs The Iowa […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="Connor Noland" data-caption="Connor Noland/" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bleedcubbieblue.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2025/08/imagn-25796478.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=1.47421875,4.2419555180576,98.52578125,95.758044481942" />
<figcaption>
Connor Noland/ </figcaption>
</figure>
The Cubs’ 12th-round pick last month, right-hander Connor Spencer, and their 17th-round pick, catcher Logan Poteet, were both assigned to High-A South Bend. 
South Bend left-hander Evan Aschenbeck was put on the Development List.
Smokies right-hander Wil Jensen was activated off the 60-day injured list.
Smokies right-hander Jozhan Oquendo was released.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Iowa Cubs</h2>
The Iowa Cubs grounded the <a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/space-cowboys-vs-cubs/2025/08/22/781251/final/summary/scoringPlays">Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Angels), 3-2</a> in ten innings. 
Connor Noland turned in a strong start, allowing just one run on six hits over six innings. He struck out five and walked no one, although he did hit one batter.
Tom Cosgrove retired three hitters in order—two by strikeout—in the top of the tenth to get the win. 
First baseman Jonathon Long hit a fielder’s choice to first base in the bottom of the tenth to score Nicky Lopez and end the game. The safe call at the plate was controversial—all I can guess is that the umpire ruled the catcher blocked the plate. Long was 0 for 2 with three walks. Lopez went 0 for 4 with a walk.
Iowa’s other two runs came on a double by DH Carlos Pérez in the fifth inning. Pérez was 1 for 4.
A nice catch by James Triantos in left.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">DEFENSE IS THE NAME OF THE GAME <a href="https://t.co/WLCGBmeTSO">pic.twitter.com/WLCGBmeTSO</a>— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaCubs/status/1959061474254754125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
The Pérez double.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Carlos Perez drives in the first two runs for Iowa! <a href="https://t.co/bl6Kasjw2Y">pic.twitter.com/bl6Kasjw2Y</a>— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaCubs/status/1959064386230001980?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
Here is the controversial final play of the game.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">WILD ENDING DUB <a href="https://t.co/3g6f5wzX1Y">pic.twitter.com/3g6f5wzX1Y</a>— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaCubs/status/1959086587762880766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Knoxville Smokies</h2>
The Knoxville Smokies were <a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/biscuits-vs-smokies/2025/08/22/782461/final/box">put out by the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays), 6-2.</a>
Tyler Schlaffer started and took the loss after giving up two runs on six hits over 3.1 innings. Schlaffer walked three, hit one batter and struck out three.
Catcher Ethan Hearn connected in the fifth inning with the bases empty on his eighth home run of the season. Hearn was 2 for 3 with a double and the home run.
As the post says, Hearn’s been hot this week.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Oh by the way…Ethan Hearn homered AGAIN tonight! That makes 3 this homestand. <a href="https://t.co/mMG03o7GRg">pic.twitter.com/mMG03o7GRg</a>— Knoxville Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/smokiesbaseball/status/1959072065106915826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">South Bend Cubs</h2>
The South Bend Cubs were <a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/kernels-vs-cubs/2025/08/22/784763/final/box">creamed by the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Angels), 5-2</a>.
Starter Brooks Caple gave up three runs in the second inning and got the loss. Caple’s final line was three runs on three hits over two innings. Caple walked two and struck out two.
Luis Martinez-Gomez pitched four innings of relief and allowed just one run on four hits. He struck out three and walked no one.
Third baseman Drew Bowser went 2 for 4 and scored once. 
Beloit won, so South Bend drops back into a first place tie in the second half with the Sky Carp. 
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Myrtle Beach Pelicans</h2>
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were <a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/riverdogs-vs-pelicans/2025/08/22/786153/final/box">herded up by the Charleston RiverDogs (Rays), 3-2.</a>
Jostin Florentino pitched the first 5.1 innings and took the loss after giving up three runs on six hits. He walked three and struck out five.
Edwardo Melendez went the rest of the game without allowing a run over 3.2 innings. He allowed just one hit. Melendez struck out three and walked two.
Both Pelicans runs came on solo home runs. DH Jose Escobar homered in the bottom of the first, his fifth home run on the season. Escobar was 1 for 4. 
Center fielder Kane Kepley hit his first professional home run in the fifth inning. Kepley was 2 for 4. 
Escobar’s home run.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Knocked it out of the (Jurassic) park! <a href="https://t.co/hu76errvH4">pic.twitter.com/hu76errvH4</a>— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pelicanbaseball/status/1959040317132329227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
Kepley’s first career blast was a line drive.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">CRUSHED BY KANE! Kane Kepley hit his first professional home run!! <a href="https://t.co/cqip4GmR31">pic.twitter.com/cqip4GmR31</a>— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pelicanbaseball/status/1959050736966218015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
A nice double play turned by Angel Cepeda, Ty Southisene and Matt Halbach.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Dino-mite double play! <a href="https://t.co/KGLNqgKsKm">pic.twitter.com/KGLNqgKsKm</a>— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pelicanbaseball/status/1959055262079492371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
More defense by Halbach.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Pelisaurus Rex! <a href="https://t.co/GG1aoyb1cb">pic.twitter.com/GG1aoyb1cb</a>— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pelicanbaseball/status/1959059065063272652?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Al Yellon</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Angels, Friday 8/22, 8:38 CT]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads/192132/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-angels-friday-8-22-838-ct" />
<id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/192132/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-brewers-thursday-8-21-120-ct</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T09:01:13-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T21:30:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com" term="Chicago Cubs game threads" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Go get ‘em, xxxx]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
Go get ‘em, xxxx
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Al Yellon</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Cubs vs. Angels Friday 8/22 game threads]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads/192149/cubs-angels-friday-game-threads" />
<id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/?post_type=vm_stream&p=192149</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T09:13:00-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T19:31:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com" term="Chicago Cubs game threads" />
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bleedcubbieblue.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2025/08/gettyimages-1258278641.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads/192138/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-angels-friday-8-22-838-ct">Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Angels, Friday 8/22, 8:38 CT</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads/192132/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-angels-friday-8-22-838-ct">First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Angels, Friday 8/22, 8:38 CT</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-previews/192108/chicago-cubs-los-angeles-angels-preview-friday">Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels preview, Friday 8/22, 8:38 CT</a>
</li>
</ul>
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Al Yellon</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels preview, Friday 8/22, 8:38 CT]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-previews/192108/chicago-cubs-los-angeles-angels-preview-friday" />
<id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/192108/chicago-cubs-vs-milwaukee-brewers-preview-thursday-8-21-120-ct</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T20:29:24-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T19:30:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com" term="Chicago Cubs game previews" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Today’s roster move: Here Friday notes: Cubs lineup: Angels lineup: Javier Assad, RHP vs. Tyler Anderson, LHP Javier Assad was recalled today from Iowa — though he never actually went to Des Moines — and will start on normal four days’ rest, as he last pitched Sunday, when he threw 65 pitches against the Pirates. […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bleedcubbieblue.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2025/08/gettyimages-2231375943.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,6.1683973652751,100,93.831602634725" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
Today’s roster move: <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-roster-moves/192208/cubs-roster-move-javier-assad-recalled-ryan-brasier-injured-list">Here</a>
Friday notes:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>NOT ROAD OPENERS: The Cubs have lost an incredible 10 consecutive first games of series on the road. Since winning at Washington on June 3, they have lost at Detroit, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Houston, Minnesota, New York vs. the Yankees, on the South Side vs. the White Sox, at Milwaukee, at St. Louis again and at Toronto. The Cubs are 6-14 in all first games on the road. At home, they are 15-7, for an overall record of 21-21. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)</li>
<li>THE SHAW FILES: Matt Shaw, 31 games since the All-Star break: .302/.344/.721 (26-for-86) with five doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 18 RBI and 17 runs scored.</li>
<li>HERE’S SOME RELIEF: Drew Pomeranz, last 11 appearances since July 25: 0.00 ERA in 10 innings, 1.000 WHIP, 12 strikeouts.</li>
<li>THIS DAY IN CUBS HISTORY: The Cubs blow a 4-1 eighth-inning lead and go behind 5-4 in the top of the 11th, then score the tying run on an error and the winning run on a José Cardenal squeeze bunt and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN197508220.shtml">defeat the Astros 6-5</a>. It happened 50 years ago today, Friday, Aug. 22, 1975.</li>
</ul>
Cubs lineup:
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">Going back to Cali. Watch game one against the Angels on the Marquee Sports Network App. <a href="https://t.co/dywSYUl6JA">pic.twitter.com/dywSYUl6JA</a>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1959028102887067809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
Angels lineup:
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Angels?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Angels</a> lineup vs Cubs with Tyler Anderson starting <a href="https://t.co/5SFivmo0mv">pic.twitter.com/5SFivmo0mv</a>— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/RhettBollinger/status/1959004261427421603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
</div></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Javier Assad, RHP vs. Tyler Anderson, LHP</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex"><img src="https://platform.bleedcubbieblue.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2025/08/imagn-25703309.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,16.666666666667,100,66.666666666667" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
<img src="https://platform.bleedcubbieblue.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2025/08/imagn-25788314.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,16.666666666667,100,66.666666666667" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" /></figure>
Javier Assad was recalled today from Iowa — though he never actually went to Des Moines — and will start on normal four days’ rest, as he last pitched Sunday, when he threw 65 pitches against the Pirates.
Assad has never faced the Angels and only a couple of Angels batters have ever faced him. Perhaps that will be to his advantage tonight.
Tyler Anderson is the first left-handed starter the Cubs have faced since Aug. 6, when they went up against the Reds’ Andrew Abbott. The Cubs have had trouble with LH starters in general this year, but they hit Abbott pretty well and won that game.
On the other hand, Anderson threw eight shutout innings vs. the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN202407060.shtml">Cubs July 6, 2024</a> at Wrigley Field and struck out 10. On the other other hand, five of the Cubs hitters who played in that game aren’t on the team anymore. And on the other other other hand, Anderson has been pretty bad over his last seven starts: 6.49 ERA, 1.615 WHIP, 12 (!) home runs allowed in 34.2 innings.
Maybe this is the day the Cubs finally hit a left-handed starter.
<img src="https://platform.bleedcubbieblue.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-22-at-4.55.13%E2%80%AFPM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.1625,0,94.604316546763,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/pitchmix#665871_2025">Baseball Savant</a>" /><img src="https://platform.bleedcubbieblue.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-22-at-4.55.31%E2%80%AFPM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.39609375,0,85.637342908438,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/pitchmix#542881_2025">Baseball Savant</a>" />
Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. <a href="https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/providers/">You can find out if Marquee is available via a provider in your area here</a>.
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2025/08/22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-angels/2025/08/22/776640/live" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLB.com Gameday</a>
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2025/ANA202508220.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a>
Please visit the Angels site <a href="http://www.crashingthepearlygates.com/">Crashing The Pearly Gates</a>. If you do go there to interact with Angels fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2025 Game Thread procedure will be identical to last year’s.
You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.
You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads">this section link</a>). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Al Yellon</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Cubs roster move: Javier Assad recalled, Ryan Brasier to injured list]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-roster-moves/192208/cubs-roster-move-javier-assad-recalled-ryan-brasier-injured-list" />
<id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/?p=192208</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T17:41:37-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T17:40:59-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com" term="Chicago Cubs roster moves" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[We have been waiting all day for the Cubs to announce a starter for tonight’s game against the Angels. And now we know who it will be. The Cubs announced that Javier Assad — who never actually reported to Triple-A Iowa, as he was spotted near Wrigley Field all week after he was optioned — […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bleedcubbieblue.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2025/08/gettyimages-2230682148.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,11.358474841129,100,36.452755495364" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
We have been waiting all day for the Cubs to announce a starter for tonight’s game against the Angels.
And now we know who it will be. The Cubs announced that Javier Assad — who never actually reported to Triple-A Iowa, as he was spotted near Wrigley Field all week after he was optioned — has been officially recalled from Iowa and will start tonight’s game.
To make room for Assad on the active roster, reliever Ryan Brasier has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left groin strain. It’s unclear when Brasier suffered that injury, as he pitched a full inning in Thursday’s game.
Assad has made two starts for the Cubs after missing most of this year with an oblique injury. He threw 65 pitches in four innings vs. the Pirates on Sunday, allowing five hits and one run. Assad might still be pitch-limited tonight and Ben Brown could back him up, as he did on Sunday.
Brasier, who has had a rough month of August, is not eligible to return until Sept. 8. I would guess he’s thrown his last pitch for the Cubs. As always, we await developments.
Today’s game preview will post at 6:30 p.m. CT.
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Al Yellon</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Angels series preview]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-series-previews/190710/cubs-angels-series-preview" />
<id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/190710/on-the-horizon-cubs-vs-pirates-series-preview</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T15:39:53-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T16:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com" term="Chicago Cubs series previews" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[The Cubs will have a reunion with Kyle Hendricks this weekend, though he will not pitch in this series. Just to show you how radically the Cubs have changed over the last year, there are only 10 players on the current Cubs 26-man active roster who were teammates with Hendricks last year: Ben Brown, Michael […]]]></summary>
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The Cubs will have a reunion with Kyle Hendricks this weekend, though he will not pitch in this series.
Just to show you how radically the Cubs have changed over the last year, there are only 10 players on the current Cubs 26-man active roster who were teammates with Hendricks last year: Ben Brown, Michael Busch, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Shōta Imanaga, Daniel Palencia, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson and Jameson Taillon.
For more on the Angels, here’s Jeff Joiner, an editor at the Angels site <a href="https://crashingthepearlygates.com/">Crashing The Pearly Gates</a>.
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-none is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
The Angels are improving thanks to a developing young core of Zach Neto (SS), Nolan Schanuel (1B), and Jo Adell (OF) with Logan O’Hoppe (C) having stretches that show a lot of promise. Any future success for the franchise will depend on getting more talent around these players, but they give Angels fans a reason to dream of brighter days ahead.
Unfortunately, a lack of organizational depth is again keeping the Angels from being a winning team. Taylor Ward is having a career year with 29 HR and a 121 wRC+ and a healthy Mike Trout is putting up a 125 wRC+ on the year. But the holes elsewhere in the lineup have been devastating. The team leads all of MLB in strikeouts and is near the bottom in batting average and in the bottom third in OBP. So while the Angels rank third in all of MLB in home runs, too many are solo shots and they strand too many baserunners.
Yusei Kikuchi has been the Angels’ best starter this season but the Cubs will not face him. Jose Soriano is either really good or really bad and will toe the rubber in the series finale. Kenley Jansen has been an anchor in the bullpen but the middle relief getting to him is shaky.
One note to Cubs fans, this team tends to play to the level of its competition. So while the overall record is below .500, the Angels are 6-0 against the Dodgers and swept Boston earlier in the season. And with guys swinging for home runs up and down the order, they are in a lot of exciting games.
</blockquote>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="2Tcp4C">Fun facts</h3>
The Cubs have played only 23 games against the Angels, second fewest against any current team. They have played 22 against the Rays. The Cubs are 13-10 vs. the Angels, but only 5-5 in California. In their previous visits, they won two of three in 2004, split two games in 2013, won twice to begin 2016, then lost all three games June 6-8, 2023.
(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="JKPwAd">Probable pitching matchups</h3>
Friday: Ben Brown, RHP (5-7, 5.91 ERA, 1.455 WHIP, 4.20 FIP) vs. Tyler Anderson, LHP (2-8, 4.77 ERA, 1.417 WHIP, 5.65 FIP)
Saturday: Cade Horton, RHP (7-4, 3.08 ERA, 1.198 WHIP, 3.87 FIP) vs. Jose Soriano, RHP (8-9, 4.00 ERA, 1.379 WHIP, 3.70 FIP)
Sunday: Matthew Boyd, LHP (12-6, 2.61 ERA, 1.041 WHIP, 3.28 FIP) vs. Victor Mederos, RHP (0-1, 5.54 ERA, 1.846 WHIP, 6.15 FIP)
The above lists are pure speculation on my part (and thanks also to Jeff Joiner from Crashing The Pearly Gates for the Angels list), so let’s just call them tentative for now. Jameson Taillon might go Sunday. No pitchers were listed at MLB.com for the entire series at posting time for this series preview. In fact, at posting time for this article, the Cubs and Angels were the only teams that didn’t have a Friday starter listed. It’s TBD heaven.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="31qHR1">Times & TV channels</h3>
Friday: 8:38 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Saturday: 8:38 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Sunday: 3:07 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="y7AN16">Prediction</h3>
As Jeff Joiner said, the Angels seem to play better vs. good teams, so the Cubs cannot look past them. (Hint: The Cubs are a good team.)
The Cubs, though, look to have the advantage in at least two of these three starting pitching matchups, and so I believe the Cubs will take two of three here.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="4SUr2d">Up next</h3>
The Cubs have Monday off, then head up the coast to San Francisco to face the Giants in a three-game series beginning Tuesday evening.
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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Al Yellon</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Cubs season-ticket holders got postseason invoices, which include All-Star Game access — with a catch]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-news/192171/cubs-season-ticket-holders-postseason-invoices-all-star-game" />
<id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/?p=192171</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T12:24:44-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T13:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com" term="Chicago Cubs news" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[As you know, I am a Cubs season-ticket holder. Season-ticket holders received invoices Thursday for potential postseason games at Wrigley Field this year, with payment due Wednesday, Sept. 17. As usual, STH will have the choice of getting a refund for any unplayed 2025 postseason games, or to use that money as a deposit for […]]]></summary>
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As you know, I am a Cubs season-ticket holder. 
Season-ticket holders received invoices Thursday for potential postseason games at Wrigley Field this year, with payment due Wednesday, Sept. 17. As usual, STH will have the choice of getting a refund for any unplayed 2025 postseason games, or to use that money as a deposit for 2026 season tickets.
And in conjunction with that, the Cubs offered full season-ticket holders the opportunity to get guaranteed access to all the 2027 All-Star Game events — if they are willing to sign up for season tickets through the 2028 season.
Since I’ve been a season-ticket holder since 1993 and intend to continue, I’ll sign up for this deal. Among other things, the Cubs say they will guarantee anyone who takes this deal that prices for season tickets will go up no more than three percent in 2027 and 2028 — though only for full season-ticket holders, not for those holding partial plans. I’ve already heard from a friend who’s had such a plan for 12 years who is likely going to cancel after this year as a result.
For full STH this offer sounds reasonable, considering there is a significant increase for season ticket pricing for 2026 over 2025, which was also included in the email received Thursday. <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/21/chicago-cubs-increasing-season-ticket-prices/">Per Paul Sullivan in the Tribune</a>, season ticket prices for 2026 are going up from five to eight percent, with the average increase at about six percent. The increase for bleacher season tickets comes to just under 10 percent on the actual price, but that being larger than the figures noted above is partly because the team is back to 81 games at Wrigley Field in 2026, as opposed to 79 in 2025 (with two “home” games played in Tokyo).
As for postseason tickets, here is the pricing breakdown for various seating levels and series (prices shown are both per game and total):
<img src="https://platform.bleedcubbieblue.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-22-at-8.57.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,6.7681895093063,100,86.463620981387" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
There are a total of 14 games in the full season-ticket holder package: Three wild-card games, three NLDS games, four NLCS games and four World Series games. As for the per-game pricing, the wild-card and NLDS games are roughly equal to the highest-price regular-season game (which is about $88 this year). The other series, obviously, are more. 
For the three-year renewal offer, the Cubs are guaranteeing all the All-Star events for full season-ticket holders. For half-season, combo plan (nights/weekends), 20-game and double play (Wednesday/Friday day games) plans, if you choose the three-year renewal you get All-Star Saturday (Futures Game and celebrity softball game) and EITHER the Home Run Derby or ASG, but not both. Those who choose annual renewal are not guaranteed any All-Star events, but would receive a “potential purchase opportunity” if there’s any ticket inventory remaining after MLB, sponsors, etc. get theirs.
One concern among fans was addressed in Sullivan’s article by Cale Vennum, senior vice president of Marquee Sports and Entertainment (and Vennum is also in charge of Cubs ticket sales):
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
If the 2027 All-Star Game is postponed because of a labor stoppage, the game played at Wrigley likely would be delayed until 2029, sources said.
“If for any reason the games need to be rescheduled for a later year, we would honor our commitment to the season ticket holders,” Vennum added.
</blockquote>
There will likely be a limited public sale of postseason tickets after all the STH payments are in on Sept. 17. I would expect pricing to be similar to the chart above (though possibly with some online buying fees). I am certainly hoping I get to use most or all of mine. Go Cubs!
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Al Yellon</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[A few thoughts on the Kyle Tucker situation]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-essays-2/192154/kyle-tucker-situation-cubs-owen-caissie" />
<id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/192154/a-few-thoughts-on-the-kyle-tucker-situation-do-not-publish</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T11:20:49-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T11:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com" term="Chicago Cubs essays" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Kyle Tucker has been in a slump for well over a month. He sat for three games of the Brewers series before returning Thursday and going 0-for-4 with a walk. As you know, Tucker suffered a finger injury June 1 while sliding into second base. He missed one full game and most of a second […]]]></summary>
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Kyle Tucker has been in a slump for well over a month. He sat for three games of the Brewers series before returning Thursday and going 0-for-4 with a walk.
As you know, Tucker suffered a finger injury June 1 while sliding into second base. He missed one full game and most of a second before returning. And he had a good month of June — .311/.404/.578 in 90 at-bats with five home runs.
Then his slump hit. Since July 1: .184/.310/.228 with one home run in 136 at-bats. The Cubs insisted he was fine… until earlier this week. <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/21/chicago-cubs-milwaukee-brewers-kyle-tucker/">From Paul Sullivan in the Tribune:</a>
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
The Cubs kept the results of an imaging test quiet while Counsell and President Jed Hoyer repeatedly insisted Tucker was fine the last two months, before Counsell finally confirmed an ESPN report on the small fracture after Wednesday night’s game.
Tucker said he was OK playing through some pain, though that decision looked bad when his slump, combined with the poor stretches of several teammates, contributed to the Cubs’ free fall from first place to wild-card contenders.
“I was just like, ‘I’m going to keep playing,’” he said before the game. “There wasn’t really a need to go on an IL, because I could still do everything. It was more like a pain tolerance at that point rather than like I physically couldn’t do anything.”
Tucker is headed toward free agency and projected as the top available hitter. Missing time could’ve cost him on the market, where he stands to make $400 million or more. But he kept playing until Counsell finally benched him after Monday’s game for a mental reset.
Why the deception?
Counsell said many player injuries are not disclosed when that player is still good enough to play. He didn’t feel the Cubs misled the media “because (Tucker) was playing” and hitting well for a while.
</blockquote>
This is a really bad look for the Cubs and Tucker. First, again, as Sullivan writes: “Why the deception?” Craig Counsell’s answer really isn’t sufficient. There have been many occasions when players have tried to play through injuries and their performance has suffered. You might recall a knee injury suffered by Alfonso Soriano early in the 2009 season, only to have him play for four months before finally admitting it and being shut down in early September that year. It wound up being Soriano’s worst year as a Cub.
Team management shouldn’t engage in deception like this. Period, end of story.
Let’s stipulate this: Players always want to be on the field and help their teams. It’s the nature of being a competitive professional athlete. But wouldn’t it have been better for Tucker to miss a couple of weeks in June — when the rest of the team was playing well — and then come back 100 percent (or as close as possible)? Having Tucker play that way for well over 100 plate appearances didn’t help the team. Or, for that matter, help Tucker in his pursuit of a big free-agent deal next offseason.
It’s been assumed by many here that the Cubs won’t pony up the $400 million (or so) that Tucker is projected to get in this year’s free-agent market. The question I would ask, then, is: Would the team actually be better off not doing that? It’s only been a few games, but Owen Caissie appeared to be able to handle playing right field for a playoff contender in a series against a top opponent. Caissie checked all the proverbial boxes in the Cubs system and, as was Matt Shaw earlier this year, appears ready to graduate to the major leagues.
If the Cubs installed Caissie as their right fielder in 2026 and used some of the money not spent on Tucker to improve in other areas, well, I’d be all in favor of that. Whether they actually do this is, of course, an open question.
Here’s hoping Tucker plays well for the Cubs for the rest of the season and postseason. And here’s also hoping the Cubs are more honest with their fanbase going forward.
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</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Thomas Smith</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[2025 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 128]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-scores-recaps/192075/2025-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-128" />
<id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/?p=192075</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T07:09:16-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T09:30:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com" term="Chicago Cubs scores and recaps" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[A reminder for the regulars and a heads up for those who are newer here. I’m never going to get into pointing fingers in this space. I’m rarely going to get into grumbling about managerial decisions. When I do get into any kind of critique of decision making, I’m most likely going to get into […]]]></summary>
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A reminder for the regulars and a heads up for those who are newer here. I’m never going to get into pointing fingers in this space. I’m rarely going to get into grumbling about managerial decisions. When I do get into any kind of critique of decision making, I’m most likely going to get into in-game decisions be they managerial or things like baserunning. Those thing are far more likely to be adjacent to Heroes and Goats than are things like starting lineups.
As a general, overarching opinion on starting lineups and player usage, I am a firm believer that a roster contains 26 players. I think the closer the team is to having 26 useful players who all play and contribute, the better the team will be. Further, the closer the roster is to 40 players on the 40-man roster that are healthy and able to contribute at the MLB level over the course of the year, the better. And at the most macro level, the ability to eventually find 50 to 60 guys over the course of the 162 game grind who can make some small contribution (or more), the better the team will be.
This is not the place to find an ear to your opinion on how the lineup should be constructed or pointing fingers at one or two guys and saying they are the reason the team lost. This is why I never really got into doing who was the anti-Player of the Game was when the team loses. I don’t like that negativity and I don’t think there is much value in that. 
15 Cubs played in the game Thursday afternoon. I’ll be able to point out a small handful who made strong contributions to keeping the game competitive and giving the team a chance to win. Charitably, eight of the 15 players made some positive contribution to the game. The other seven did not. And most of the eight could have done more to tilt this game into the win column. Unsurprisingly, in a relatively close game that the team didn’t win, most of the players had reasonable opportunities to make more meaningful contributions. But most of them didn’t.
What we do in this space is try to keep everything in perspective. Since the All-Star break, the Brewers are 24-8. The Cubs are 4-4 against the Brewers in that time span. I’m not sure what the heck the Cubs were supposed to do about Brewers rolling over the rest of baseball to the tune of a 20-4 run. For sure, the Cubs being 12-12 against MLB and 4-4 against the Brewers doesn’t leave a lot of warm and fuzzy feelings. But all of the narrative of a collapse is just bluster. The Cubs played so well in the first 96 games that they had room to be virtually assured of a playoff spot by playing .500 ball over the final 66 games.
Will I be disappointed if they are 33-33 over those last 66 games? Absolutely. I’m disappointed about this 16-16 stretch. It will always be perplexing that the Cubs played around .600 ball against a very difficult schedule and that as the season wore on, their effectiveness decreased as the schedule got easier and easier. 
Also, thee remaining 34 games feature just three games against teams currently in the playoff picture and four more against a team just outside of the playoffs. Most of these games are against teams that are more likely to be nailing down offseason plans and blueprints for next year than trying to stack wins. Do I think they’ll all just roll over? Of course not. But I expect the Cubs to win somewhere around 20 of these remaining games and get into the 91-95 win range. That will make the playoffs comfortably.
There’s work to be done, but I expect that work to go well. I’m enjoying this season, I intend to enjoy until whatever round the playoffs end for them. So don’t expect to get a lot of support from this part of the internet on your gloom and doom and finger pointing. This has been the most fun season in at least half a dozen years and I don’t care to dwell on the things that didn’t go well while it’s going on. As is always the case, there will be room for post mortem and speculation on the future after the World Series has played out.
On to sunny California. But first we recap the finale of a terrific series with the Brewers. Never thought I would say this, but boy would I enjoy a playoff series between these two teams, even while recognizing that the outcome of that series might be less than I’d be happy with. This Brewers team is trying to teach me something about talent evaluation, because I still think the Cubs roster is better than the Brewers roster. But boy, it’s hard to feel comfortable for even a minute against them.
Pitch Counts: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Brewers: 172, 39 BF</li>
<li>Cubs: 139, 35 BF</li>
</ul>
Wow, just that one snapshot sure looks like it would be a Cubs win. The Cubs managed to make the Brewers work really hard in this one. The Cubs only managed five hits, but they drew eight walks and had a hit batsman. They did hit into two double plays. That and 11 runners left on base doomed this one.
Hat tip to the Brewers pitching staff and their coaching staff. In this space, we noted at pretty much every turn that the Brewers bullpen was set up better for the later stages of the series than the Cubs were. There were two things that contributed heavily to this. One was an untimely early exit for Cade Horton in the opener. The other was some very efficient work out of the Brewer bullpen. 
The saving grace out of this was that Shōta Imanaga flipped the script in this last game by giving the Cubs seven strong innings. Unfortunately, the Cubs didn’t have a lot of options other than going to Ryan Brasier in the eighth inning. His was one of the freshest arms. With all due respect to Ryan who has been good at times this season, I hope the Cubs go a different direction for the playoff roster. I’d actually like to see them swing towards one extra hitter on the playoff roster than they carry all season. One starter (at least) shifts back to the bullpen and I’d think that would lend itself to an extra bat for a team that has struggled offensively in the back half of the season.
Imanaga’s great start positions the Cub pitching staff well heading to Anaheim. The Cubs should have pretty much all hands on deck for that one. With an off day Monday, I would hope and expect Craig Counsell will manage extremely aggressively and chase three wins in Anaheim. You certainly can’t expect a sweep against any team. But if any or all of those games are close, it’s time to deploy the pieces aggressively and chase all of the wins. I do think there is value in the fourth overall spot in the NL (and keeping the slim chance at the Central alive).
This series needed to be survived and was. Now it’s time to floor it and stack wins. You should be able to involve your whole 26 in these games, keep people fresh and work out some issues against some lesser talent and find some favorable matchups.
As I’m fond of saying, time to get greedy. 
Three Stars:
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Shōta Imanaga allowed two runs over seven innings. That’s good enough to win. Unfortunately, he and the team were tagged with a loss anyway. </li>
<li>No extra base hits and no player had more than one hits. Ian Happ was the offensive star though with a single and two walks. His wRC+ sits at 104. All of his numbers are down, but the big deal is the giant step back from 25 to 16 homers. Looks like he might end up right around 20 homers.</li>
<li>Willi Castro had a single and was hit by a pitch. I like Willi moving all over the diamond and existing as essentially a 10th everyday player. I think he can be a real contributor. </li>
</ol>
Game 128, August 21: Brewers 4, Cubs 1 (73-55)
<img src="https://platform.bleedcubbieblue.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2025/08/chart-2-2.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Superhero: Michael Busch (.119). 1-4, BB</li>
<li>Hero: Shōta Imanaga (.094). 7 IP, 25 BF, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 ER, 5 K (L 8-6)</li>
<li>Sidekick: Ian Happ (.073). 1-2, 2 BB</li>
</ul>
THREE GOATS
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Billy Goat: Kyle Tucker (-.238). 0-4, BB</li>
<li>Goat: Ryan Brasier (-.167). IP, 6 BF, 3 H, BB, 2 ER, K</li>
<li>Kid: Nico Hoerner (-.080). 1-4</li>
</ul>
WPA Play of the Game: Brice Turang’s two-run homer with two outs in the second was the key play of the game. (.205)
*Cubs Play of the Game: Michael Busch batted with a runner on first and no outs in the fifth and down two. He singled, sending the runner to third. (.130)
Cubs Player of the Game:
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Yesterday’s Winner: Matt Shaw (84 votes) over Colin Rea (55) and Michael Busch (46).
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 5/Bottom 5)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Matthew Boyd +23</li>
<li>Shōta Imanaga +20</li>
<li>Kyle Tucker +21</li>
<li>Michael Busch +16.67</li>
<li>Jameson Taillon +14</li>
<li>Carson Kelly -14</li>
<li>Julian Merryweather -15</li>
<li>Ben Brown -19</li>
<li>Dansby Swanson -25.33</li>
<li>Seiya Suzuki -28</li>
</ul>
Scoreboard Watching: Padres (Wild Card 2) win (Cubs up 1). Mets (WC 3) lose (Cubs up 5.5). Reds off (Cubs up 6). The Reds need to finish 23-11 to reach 90 wins. And I’ll still take the over on 90 wins.
Up Next: The Cubs head to California to play the Angels (61-66). The Angels were competitive for a while, but 12-14 in July and 8-10 to date in August has sapped any idea of getting back into contention. The Angels were off Thursday, so they have that going for them. Also, they were already at home, losing two of three to the Reds. Before that, they were at Sacramento and home against the Dodgers. So they haven’t left the state of California since August 10. They’ve played only three games all month outside of California (and have six left, all in Texas). Kyle Hendricks pitched Tuesday. On a normal five-man rotation, his next start would be Monday against the Rangers. So I think we’ll miss that.
No starters have been named for the series. Javier Assad was at Wrigley Field on Thursday. There are definitely spots where a guy who is in the minors stops by for one reason or another. Javier is not eligible to be activated for almost another week, unless someone goes on the injured list. Friday’s game is the rotation spot last taken by Assad. The alternative appears to be Ben Brown who should be rested and good to go. Brown is 5-7 with a 5.91 in 99 innings. Staying on rotation, this spot for the Angels would be lefty Tyler Anderson (2-8, 4.77, 126.1 IP). Anderson was the 18th overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Rockies. At 35 years old, his best days look to be behind him.
Key Stat: The Cubs are 16-18 against lefty starters (and 57-37 vs righties). 
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