Tuesday night’s thrilling 11-10 victory for the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field against the Dodgers featured just about everything one could imagine a ball game having. There were eight runs posted in the first frame from both offenses, which included a five spot from the Cubs. Each club had their own five-run inning the opening game of a shortened two-game series at the Friendly Confines in what will be the final battles between the Cubs and Dodgers in the regular season.
Chicago’s bullpen had yet another slip up in a game early on in the season, as they couldn’t keep the two-run lead they held in the seventh inning. The back-and-forth effort in the late innings resulted in clutch home runs from Kyle Tucker and Miguel Amaya to force extras. Ian Happ played hero as the lead off man in the tenth inning with his walk off single to right field that scored Vidal Brujan to end the ballgame.
While there are still things that need to be cleaned up with this roster, the Cubs are making noise in April with one of the toughest schedules in the league. It’s giving fans hope for October baseball to Wrigley Field for the first time since the COVID-shortened season in 2020.
A young face on the team had another monster game on Tuesday in what has been an important start for him this season. The speedster joined his own class in franchise history from his efforts in the victory.
Pete Crow-Armstrong is in a class of his own in Chicago Cubs history
Per Just Baseball on X, Pete Crow-Armstrong is the first Cubs hitter since integration to record 25+ hits, 8+ stolen bases, and a .500+ SLG in the first 25 games of the season. Still just 23-years-old, Crow-Armstrong is beginning to put it together at the plate in his first full season at the big league level.
The former first-round draft pick’s consistency at the plate was the biggest question mark surrounding him entering 2025. Crow-Armstrong’s defense has been the strongest part of his game along with his speed to begin his career. He is a problem for opposing teams on the base paths and the Cubs know that if he can find his way on-base at a regular rate he can be a real difference maker down the road.
Most of the Chicago Cubs lineup is clicking at the right time
For the time being, all of the Cubs’ everyday starters are batting above .270 at the worst with the exception of one veteran who has struggled mightily out of the gate in 2025. Despite having his clutch moments, it has taken Dansby Swanson a bit of time to find his groove this season, as he is slashing .180/.231/.360 for a .591 OPS in his 100 at-bats. While his defense has been spectacular per usual, Chicago will need him to get his bat rolling as a key presence in the middle of the order this year.
To the same point, not every bat is going to continue to be hot at the same time. Guys will go through their respective rough patches this year, as that just happens in baseball. It’s all about limiting the slumps and giving a hopefully revamped bullpen the best chance to win games as possible.
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