Moises Ballesteros tied a historic Cubs milestone with his first major-league home run, a line-drive shot that Rizzo literally snagged back for luck at Wrigley as the ceremony honored the beloved ex-Cub. Chicago built a 3-0 edge behind Rea, but Tampa Bay surged late, fueling a 5-4 comeback as the bullpen couldn’t hold. Busch answered with a homer for Chicago, Caminero and Keller supplied the late power, and the ninth offered a glimmer of hope that Chicago couldn’t convert. Imanaga prepares for Sunday.

Carlos Santana and Aaron Civale joined the Cubs as the playoff chase intensified, giving Chicago veteran depth and bullpen flexibility. Santana, a switch-hitter with post-season pedigree, slides onto Counsell’s bench and offers insurance for a potential lineup shuffle. Civale profiles as a bulk-relief option who could start if needed, preserving rotation options. Cubs promotions of Alcántara and Caissie add youthful upside as Pete Crow-Armstrong cools at the plate.

The moves underscore a pragmatic, veteran-flavored infusion to fortify a 28-man roster on the cusp of a championship push, with Santana eyeing a title before retirement and Civale aiming to leverage this fresh opportunity for impact in high-leverage moments.

Chicago extended its win streak against Milwaukee to three with a 4-3 victory, shrinking the Brewers’ NL Central lead to six games. Kyle Tucker sat again for a third straight game, a precaution tied to a hairline fracture that has dented his July numbers. Owen Caissie drew the start and delivered enough in limited action to keep Chicago rolling, fueling optimism about its depth as the team balances rest for its star with a push for the postseason.

Caissie, a top MLB prospect, has posted a .732 OPS through six games and already homered, signaling that Chicago may lean on its young outfield depth down the stretch. Tucker’s slump since July 1, highlighted by a .189/.325/.235 line, has amplified the conversation around rest versus rhythm. Counsell’s comments imply Chicago isn’t rushing Tucker back, a move that could keep Caissie in the lineup for now.

The mix of cautious management and emergent production from Caissie frames a critical period for the Cubs. If Tucker’s health improves, Chicago will face decisions about lineup balance and rest vs. risk, but the early impact from Caissie suggests a sustainable path to maintaining strong offense even as Tucker regains form.

Week 21 fantasy baseball focuses on 2025 redraft value from a curated top-25 stash list. Prospect call-ups that debut this year preserve rookie eligibility for 2026, broadening short- and long-term value. Promoted last week: Dylan Beavers, Samuel Basallo, Drew Gilbert, Nolan McLean and Owen Caissie, with Eldridge and Sal Stewart standing out for immediate impact in power and solid hitting floors. The piece highlights Spencer Jones’s sky-high upside despite strikeout risk, JJ Wetherholt’s Triple-A dominance, and Robby Snelling’s near‑MLB-ready pitcher profile.

Analysis dives into Bryce Eldridge’s likely Giants cup of coffee, Sal Stewart’s advanced hit tool, and Wetherholt’s polished approach at the plate. It maps out why these names belong on rosters in 2025 redraft and how late-season call-ups could shape Week 21 lineups. Honorable mentions add depth across teams, while the feature ties in DFS and lineup tools to sharpen Week 21 decisions.

Brewers 7, Cubs 0 in a rain-soaked makeup at Wrigley. Chicago could muster only two hits and three walks while the pitching staff labored, with Cade Horton exiting early with a blister and the bullpen splintering after Luke Little’s sixth-inning appearance (even a pitch timer violation). Seiya Suzuki celebrated his 31st birthday with a patient at-bat, but Owen Caissie supplied the Cubs’ lone bright moment with his first big-league hit as Chicago failed to find offense in a lopsided day.

What looms now is a Tuesday doubleheader that could reshape the Cubs’ immediate plans. Jameson Taillon was listed to start the day game, with Jordan Wicks likely serving as the 27th man for the nightcap, while the weather forecast promises better conditions. The Brewers, meanwhile, used a steady attack and a weather-delayed rhythm to cruise to the win, leaving Chicago to reset during a pivotal late-season stretch.