Your week with the Knoxville Smokies: June 24, 2025
Around the Horn with the Cubs Organization
CHICAGO CUBS (MLB): The Chicago Cubs are holding firm atop the National League Central with a 46-31 record. They concluded a home series June 22 with a 14-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners after winning the first two games in the series. The Cubs will travel to St. Louis to begin a three-game series against the Cardinals beginning June 23.
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Note: Standings reset for all minor league affiliates at the conclusion of last week's series.
IOWA CUBS (Triple-A affiliate in Des Moines): The Iowa Cubs are coming off a series loss on the road against the Nashville Sounds this week (two wins, four losses). Cubs pitcher Shōta Imanaga made a successful rehab start this week. Imanaga threw 4 1/3 shutout innings June 20, striking out eight and walking two while allowing just two hits and no runs. The Cubs expect Imanaga back in their lineup this week.
SOUTH BEND CUBS (High-A affiliate in South Bend, Indiana): The South Bend Cubs are coming off a series loss to the Lake County Captains (three losses, two wins). On June 22, the Cubs' No. 10 prospect, Cristian Hernandez, hit a two-run homer. It was his first since April 23, showing positive signs for the young player.
MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS (Single-A affiliate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina): The Pelicans won their recent series four games to two, including a walk-off, extra-innings victory June 21.
Knoxville Smokies' last series
The Knoxville Smokies concluded the first half of their season with a record of 32-36, placing them third in the Southern League North Division. They showed flashes of strong play, highlighted by a recent combined no-hitter against the Columbus Clingstones on June 14 from pitchers Jaxon Wiggins, Sam Armstrong and A.J. Puckett. The Smokies went an even 6-6 on the road the last two weeks.
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The minor league baseball season is divided into two halves. This split-season format is designed to provide more opportunities for teams to contend for a playoff spot. The winner of the first half automatically qualifies for the postseason. The Chattanooga Lookouts finished atop the Southern League standings June 22, with the Smokies in third place.
If a team wins both halves, the next best overall record in the division for the second half will earn the second playoff spot. This system allows for player development and promotions to happen without derailing a team's postseason aspirations.
Southern League North Standings as of June 21, 2025:
Chattanooga Lookouts: 38-28 (.576)
Birmingham Barons: 38-31 (.551), 1.5 GB
Knoxville Smokies: 32-36 (.471), 7 GB
Rocket City Trash Pandas: 24-44 (.353), 15 GB
Smokies returning to Covenant Health Park
The Smokies return home to Covenant Health Park this week to host the Birmingham Barons for a six-game series June 24-29. Aside from a 2 p.m. start June 29, all games will begin at 7 p.m.
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Knox News reporter Gabriel Jackson covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC. Email: gabriel.jackson@knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Your week with the Knoxville Smokies: June 24, 2025
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