In a 3-2 grind in St. Louis, Chicago’s offense produced a handful of loud moments but came up short in the late innings. Matt Shaw’s two-run homer to erase an early 2-0 deficit set the tone, and Nico Hoerner added multi-hit base hits, yet the Cubs couldn’t push the go-ahead run across in the ninth. Eight Cubs hits and a trio of walks couldn’t overcome a tight Cardinals bullpen and clean late single from Nolan Gorman. Despite elite early stuff from Shōta Imanaga, the Cubs left more on the table than their stat line would suggest, with just two runs scoring on eight hits and one error by the Cards helping tilt the balance in a one-run decision.

The loss tightens the chase for a wild-card spot as Chicago heads to Toronto. The series outlook comes with Miguel Amaya’s return on the horizon and rotation shifts nudging toward Taillon and Javier Assad soon, which could reshape the Cubs’ late-season rotation. With a 1.5-game cushion on the Padres for the top wild-card, every run and decision matters as they navigate health and bullpen depth over the next 6–7 weeks. The bullpen (including JoJo Romero’s save) and the tactical eighth-inning calls will be under the microscope as Chicago eyes the postseason.

Brad Keller’s one-inning push as the hero for St. Louis and Nolan Gorman’s seventh-inning RBI provided the decisive edge, while Carson Kelly supplied three hits in a critical win. The Cubs will need to replicate the offensive tempo they showed in bursts and solve the late-inning touches that slipped away in this one, because every game in this window could tilt a wildcard outcome.

The Chicago Cubs returned to their winning ways with a 6-2 victory over the White Sox in the latest City Series matchup at Wrigley Field. The game showcased not only the talent of players but also the fiery emotions of the rivalry. White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas expressed his frustration after being hit by a pitch from Cubs' Brad Keller, leading to a brief confrontation. While Keller laughed off the incident, Vargas has been on a hot streak, hitting .350 with six home runs in the last month. Meanwhile, Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong highlighted his prowess with a triple and two runs scored.

Despite the Cubs' victory, the Sox's defense faltered with important mistakes, including a poor decision by third base coach Justin Jirschele and a dropped fly ball by Brooks Baldwin. With this loss, the White Sox are left searching for answers as they maintain a disappointing 14-33 record. Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed discussions about recalling third baseman Matt Shaw, who has been performing exceptionally well at the Triple-A level. As the City Series continues, both teams will look to improve their standings, with the Cubs aiming for an eighth consecutive win over the Sox.

Chris Flexen, now with the Cubs, reflects on the intense rivalry between the Cubs and White Sox, particularly highlighting his previous experience at Wrigley Field. Despite the White Sox's struggles, he appreciates the atmosphere and support from Chicago fans. Flexen, who led the Sox last season in innings pitched, aims to contribute positively this year with the Cubs. Meanwhile, infielder Nicky Lopez acknowledges his defensive improvements and his desire to play for a winning team, feeling that joining the Cubs is a perfect fit. Right-hander Brad Keller also expresses excitement about his role in the Cubs' bullpen and the heightened focus within the organization, contrasting it with his time in a rebuilding environment with the Sox.

The Chicago Cubs have secured a minor league contract with right-hander Brad Keller, augmenting their roster ahead of the upcoming season. The deal, confirmed on Friday, grants Keller an invitation to participate in the Cubs' spring training camp. Keller, 29, had a challenging season in 2024, pitching for both the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox, accumulating a record of 0-4 alongside a 5.44 ERA over 16 appearances, which included two starts. His career began with the Kansas City Royals in 2018, where he spent six seasons and compiled a 38-57 record with a 4.34 ERA across 166 games, including 116 starts.

In addition to Keller, the Cubs have invited other non-roster players, such as catcher Reese McGuire and right-hander Trevor Richards, to their camp. The Cubs also made a transaction by trading infielder Luis Vázquez to the Baltimore Orioles for cash, following his designation for assignment earlier in the week. Vázquez made his major league debut in May but only managed one hit in 12 at-bats while scoring twice in 11 games with the Cubs.