And yet *another* blow to the Cubs’ rotation: Ben Brown has been placed on the 15-day IL with a neck strain. Edward Cabrera was also out on the IL with the left hamstring strain from last night. He is undergoing imaging today to determine severity.

Where the NL All-Star voting stands right now ⤵️

Let’s look inside the numbers of Pete Crow-Armstrong’s hot streak, putting it in historical context and examing a few changes he’s made in the process ⤵️

Cubs announce Imanaga (Mon), Cabrera (Tue), Assad (Wed) as probables at Mets. Thursday is TBD. Boyd has a bullpen session Mon and is a possibility to come off IL Thurs. Could also be Ben Brown, though Cubs might weigh holding him for Fri vs. Brewers. He has a 1.96 ERA against MIL in his career.

6+ steals, 10+ homers, 40+ hits in any 23-game span within a season, based on Stathead's available data: PCA (last 23 games) Ohtani (10x 2024) J. Rodriguez (8x 2023) Vlad Guerrero (2001) L. Walker (3x 1997) Bichette (1996) L. Mazzilli (3x 1980) Frank Robinson (2x 1961) Mays (5x 1958, 2x 1960)

Prior to Pete Crow-Armstrong since May 26, the last Cubs' batter with 40+ hits in a 23-game span was Starlin Castro in 2010. The last with 40+ hits and 6+ steals in a 23-game span was Sandberg in 1984. The last with 40+ hits, 6+ steals and 10+ homers? No others. Only Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Another change for PCA has been moving closer to plate. He's been 24.6 inches off plate on average dating back to May 14, when he made the move while facing Braves lefty Chris Sale. Had been 27.3 prior to that day. "He's stuck with it against lefties and it’s been pretty good," Dustin Kelly said.

There have been a few changes to PCA's swing over last month. Easiest to see is starting hand position. Look here at May 14, May 30 and June 20. Cubs HC Dustin Kelly: "It was more just being able to hold the ground and not jump forward as much, and it kind of just slowed him down a little bit."

Cubs announce that today’s game has been postponed due to pending rain. Scheduled to be made up at 1:20 pm CT on Aug. 6.

Blue Jays 8, Cubs 6

Over his 22-game on-base streak, Pete Crow-Armstrong has slashed .409/.462/.817 (1.279 OPS) with 9 homers, seven doubles, two triples, 15 RBI, six steals, 18 runs and 38 hits. Here's what it's done to his season slash line: On May 25: .223/.311/.363 (.673) Entering today: .283/.359/.510 (.870)

Cubs had Daniel Palencia undergo an MRI, which showed a mild flexor strain. Given potential outcomes, this would be “good news.” Palencia will be shut down through the upcoming road trip before beginning a throwing program.

Cubs 16, Blue Jays 2 First time since 1959 the Cubs had 11+ walks, 16+ runs and 18+ hits in a game. The book ⤵️

Typo alert: March 26!

Correction: July 5-6, 2001 for the note below. Carry on!

The 7-run first inning for Cubs today is their first time with 7+ in a first inning since May 16, 2022 (8 runs vs. PIT). Cubs have an inning with 7+ in back-to-back games for the first time since July 4-5, 2001 (at Tigers) and for the first time at Wrigley Field since May 7-8, 1984 (vs. Giants).

Ben Brown allowed a homer to George Springer here in the 6th inning. It's the first homer Brown has given up since moving into the rotation. In fact, it's the first one he's yielded since the first batter he faced (Jacob Young) on Opening Day on May 26.

Matthew Boyd is on target to make a rehab start on Saturday. Will do so with High-A South Bend, per manager Craig Counsell, who added that "the hope" is Boyd will only need one outing before coming off the IL

Cubs option Moisés Ballesteros to Triple-A Iowa. With Suzuki still DHing and Matt Shaw getting more regular playing time again, makes sense to get Ballesteros some time at Iowa. Outfielder Justin Dean recalled from Triple-A.

Cubs 8, Rockies 6 The book ⤵️

Updates from Counsell: • Edward Cabrera feeling OK today after hand cramp scare Tuesday • Jameson Taillon doing plyball work, will go with team on upcoming road trip • Matthew Boyd will make rehab start Saturday (affiliate TBD) • Seiya Suzuki to DH rest of this homestand, likely back to RF in NY

Rockies 5, Cubs 2 The book ⤵️

Cubs announce that Cabrera left with a "right hand cramp."

In his third start back from the IL after a blister issue, Edward Cabrera was pulled in the fifth amid clear command woes and diminished velo. Can see how his velo went down across the 4th and 5th inning here.

One night after hitting for the cycle, Pete Crow-Armstrong again leads off the first inning with a home run.

From Counsell: • No timetable for Palencia yet. Getting treatment. No imaging planned yet. Going to see how he progresses in coming days. • Boyd’s bullpen session went well today. Rehab outing before being activated. • Steele here. Will be with team 3-ish weeks as he resumes throwing (Mon).

Cubs place righty Daniel Palencia on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation. Righty Gavin Hollowell recalled from Iowa.

Prior to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s reverse cycle tonight, here’s a look at the 12 previous cycles in Cubs history ⤵️

First wave of NL All-Star voting results is out ⤵️

Giants 5, Cubs 1 The book ⤵️

Seiya Suzuki scratched from lineup (originally in as DH) due to right knee soreness. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said he just wanted to play things safe and conservative.

Cubs 6, Giants 1 First series win for Chicago since May 4-7, ending 10-series drought. The book ⤵️

Ben Brown allowed one run over five innings tonight. The Cubs righty has a 1.49 ERA in 7 starts since moving into the rotation, with a tidy 1.16 showing in his last 4 turns.

Cubs announce that Seiya Suzuki exited with right knee discomfort. Exited after landing awkwardly while trying to stop his momentum on missed catch attempt of Matt Chapman sinking liner in fourth. Suzuki tweaked his right knee previously during the WBC.

Pete Crow-Armstrong homers on the first pitch of the night for the Cubs. His first career homer to begin a ballgame.

Cubs 5, Giants 1 The book ⤵️

15 of the 17 ER allowed by Javier Assad this year came in two games (6.2 IP between April 13 at PHI and April 25 at LAD). In that Philly game, he stayed in and wore it to chew up innings for the staff. Assad has a 0.57 ERA in his other 8 games (31.2 IP) and a 0.47 ERA in his last five appearances.

Giants brought in lefty Erik Miller to face Michael Busch with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs in 5th. Busch answered with a 3-run homer into McCovey Cove. It's the 4th "splash hit" by a Cubs batter here all-time. First since Joc Pederson in 2021.

Counsell said Matthew Boyd played catch and built up to long toss today with no issues. Hope is that the shoulder soreness was minor and Boyd can get back to it “rapidly.” Bullpen expected soon (day TBD).

I was proper chuffed about the Chiles chat. What a great convo! We should all remain so joyfully mystified about baseball.

Cubs 9, Rockies 3 Chicago hit three homers for the first time since April 25. The book ⤵️

Alex Bregman launches a 2-run homer in the 7th to put the Cubs up 8-2 on the Rockies. It's his first multi-run homer of the season after five solo shots. Was batting .138 with a .172 SLG in 8 games in June going into today.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell has been ejected in the 6th inning for arguing this double play ball. Home plate umpire Louie Krupa ruled Ballesteros didn't hit the ball off his shin/foot, making it fair and Rockies turned it into a double play. It's Counsell's 2nd ejection of the season.

SLG difference between Opening Day-May 8 and May 9-June 10 for the Cubs' main nine batters: -.367 Ballesteros -.291 Suzuki -.190 Hoerner -.134 Swanson -.112 Kelly -.008 Happ +.003 Bregman +.072 Busch +.095 Crow-Armstrong

Seiya Suzuki's season was delayed until April 10, but he had a .261 ISO and .565 SLG during the Cubs' 27-12 start to the year. In the recent 7-22 stretch, his production dropped to a .075 ISO and .274 SLG. The Cubs right fielder just belted a grand slam in the fourth here at Coors Field.

Rockies 3, Cubs 2 Chicago has gone 10 series in a row without a series win, and has slipped back to .500. The book ⤵️

Counsell: Matthew Boyd felt some shoulder soreness after his bullpen session Tuesday. Was in line to start in SF. That is no longer the plan. Pushed back at least a few days. Javier Assad likely “involved” against Giants.

Rockies 7, Cubs 3 The book ⤵️

Cubs moves⤵️ • RHP Jameson Taillon to 15-day IL (left hamstring strain) • RHP Ethan Roberts recalled from Triple-A Iowa • OF Kevin Alcántara optioned to Iowa • UTIL Matt Shaw activated from IL

Giants 18, Cubs 3 Here’s the book ⤵️