11-08-2025
Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals preview, Sunday 8/10, 6:10 CT
Sunday notes…
SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE: This is the 24th of the Cubs' 39 series in which they have split the first two games. One series had no third game. The Cubs were 13-9 in third games of the others, including 8-5 on the road. After having lost, then won, they are 6-7 in all third games and 4-5 on the road. Over the past 10 seasons, the Cubs are 6-4 in all third games at St. Louis after splitting the first two and 5-2 in the finale of three-game series. (Courtesy BCB's JohnW53)
MILESTONE: Tonight's game will be the Cubs' 1,200th game at St. Louis since 1901, first year of the Modern Era. The Cubs have won 544, lost 645 and tied 10, for a winning percentage of .457. The teams have played 1,201 games in Chicago, where the Cubs' percentage is 99 points higher, .556, with 664 wins, 530 losses and 7 ties. (Courtesy BCB's JohnW53)
A STRONG SECOND HALF: Matt Shaw, 19 games since the All-Star break: .333/.356/.754 (19-for-57) with four doubles, a triple, six home runs, 13 RBI, three stolen bases and 11 runs scored.
HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: Dansby Swanson, last five games: .333/.333/.667 (6-for-18) with two home runs and four runs scored.
Here are today's particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Cardinals lineup:
Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Sonny Gray, RHP
Shōta Imanaga came back from his hamstring injury June 26 in St. Louis and threw five one-hit innings. Apart from one anomalous bad start vs. the White Sox, Shōta has been very good since his return. Overall in eight starts since he returned from the injury, he has a 3.43 ERA and 0.896 WHIP and only three walks in 44.2 innings, which gives him a 4.8 percent walk rate for the season. That's just a bit higher than his 4.0 percent walk rate last year.
When you throw that many strikes you are going to give up some home runs, and in the eight starts mentioned above, Shōta has allowed nine home runs. Keep the ball in the ballpark and he should have a good evening.
Sonny Gray is 35 now, 36 in November, and the Cardinals have to pay him $35 million in 2026 (plus a $5 million buyout in 2027), so that's likely why they couldn't trade him at the deadline.
He's put up a year with an ERA (4.21) significantly above what his career ERA was entering 2025 (3.51). He's thrown very well against the Cubs in the past (lifetime 2.84 ERA in 14 starts), but has not faced them this year.
Gray is coming off a start where he held the Dodgers to one hit in seven innings Aug. 4 at Dodger Stadium. But in his three starts prior to that, he had an 11.48 ERA and allowed five home runs in 13.1 innings to the D-backs, Padres and Marlins.
So, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Today's game is on ESPN. There's also a Statcast-focused broadcast on ESPN2.
Here is the complete live streaming page for today.
Gameday
game preview
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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 this section link). 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.
