Latest news with #SeiyaSuzuki
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Smith and Diaz hit 3-run homers as Astros beat Cubs 7-4, extend win streak to 5 games
Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki waits for a pitch during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Houston Astros' Cam Smith celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Houston, Friday, June 27, 2025. Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hader throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Houston, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Houston Astros' Cam Smith hits a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Houston, Friday, June 27, 2025. Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Houston Astros' Cam Smith hits a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Houston, Friday, June 27, 2025. Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki waits for a pitch during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Houston Astros' Cam Smith celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Houston, Friday, June 27, 2025. Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hader throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Houston, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Houston Astros' Cam Smith hits a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Houston, Friday, June 27, 2025. Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) HOUSTON (AP) — Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night. Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games. Advertisement The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center. Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker, extended Houston's lead to 7-0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs. Walter (1-1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save. Jeremy Peña exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury. Advertisement Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central-leading Chicago. Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings. Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame. Key moment Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it with Tucker, representing the tying run, on deck. Key stat Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June, and improved to an MLB-best 18-6 this month. Up next Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Houston has not named a starter. ___ AP MLB:
Fox News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Cardinals complete double play after Cubs star Ian Happ commits baserunning blunder
Ian Happ had a forgettable moment Thursday. The MLB outfielder made a glaring mistake in the first inning of a Cubs-Cardinals game in St. Louis. The Cubs celebrated a 3-0 victory over their NL Central division rivals. Happ stepped into the batter's box to lead off the game and proceeded to hit a single to left field. A couple of batters later, Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki hit a fly ball to right field. Happ appeared to sprint from first base almost immediately after Suzuki's bat made contact with the ball. But Cardinals outfielder Alec Burleson made the catch, forcing Happ to run back to first base. But Happ skipped a crucial step during his retreat to first base. He made it all the way to second base when the ball was hit to right field, meaning he needed to retouch the bag on his way back to first. Happ had touched second base, which meant he had to retouch it on his way back to first. He failed to do so. While the three-time Gold Glove winner did make it back to first base before the ball made it into the Cardinals first baseman's glove, he was ultimately ruled out. The double play ended the inning. Happ is in his ninth big league season, all with the Cubs. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shota Imanaga throws 5 sharp innings in return from injury as Cubs beat Cardinals 3-0
Fans celebrate a 3-0 victory by the Chicago Cubs over the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball game Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong scores during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn throws down his bat after flying out to end the eighth inning a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki flies into a double play during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Fans celebrate a 3-0 victory by the Chicago Cubs over the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball game Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong scores during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn throws down his bat after flying out to end the eighth inning a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki flies into a double play during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) ST. LOUIS (AP) — Shota Imanaga returned from the injured list to throw five innings of one-hit ball, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday for a split of a four-game series. Michael Busch homered and singled and Carson Kelly also had two hits for the NL Central-leading Cubs. Advertisement St. Louis was shut out in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Five Chicago pitchers combined on a three-hitter. A left hamstring strain cost Imanaga (4-2) nearly two months. In his Busch Stadium debut, Imanaga gave up a first-inning single to Masyn Winn and then retired 10 batters before issuing his lone walk. Imanaga, an All-Star last season as a rookie, lowered his ERA to 2.54. Daniel Palencia allowed the first to batters to reach before striking out the side in the ninth for his eighth save in nine opportunities. Busch hit a 3-2 fastball from Andre Pallante (5-4) over the wall in right field in the second inning. He scored again in the fourth when Ian Happ drew a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk. Advertisement In the eighth, Pete Crow-Armstrong scored from third when Dansby Swanson was caught trying to steal second. Key moment In the first inning, Cardinals right fielder Alec Burleson made an over-the-shoulder catch to rob Seiya Suzuki of an extra-base hit. Happ, who led off with a single, was near shortstop Burleson made the catch and cut across the infield to get back to first base. The Cardinals tagged second for an inning-ending double play. Key stat Busch is hitting .353 (12 for 34) in his last nine games. Up next Cardinals: Begin a three-game series at Cleveland on Friday with Sonny Gray (7-2, 3.72 ERA) facing the Guardians' Luis Ortiz (4-8, 4.30). Cubs: Had not announced a starter for the opener of a three-game series at Houston. Brandon Waler (0-1, 3.80) starts for the Astros. __ AP MLB:
Japan Forward
2 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Seiya Suzuki Providing Potent Run Production for the Cubs
Seiya Suzuki already has 21 home runs this season, matching his MLB season-high total from 2024, and his teammates think he deserves to be an MLB All-Star. Chicago Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki belts a solo home run in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners on June 22, 2025, at Wrigley Field. (©AP/via KYODO) Statistics document the impact that Seiya Suzuki is making for the Chicago Cubs in the 2025 MLB season. Most notably, the Tokyo native has 67 RBIs, tied for the National League lead with Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, through Wednesday, June 25. And after slugging 21 home runs for the Cubs in 2024, his third MLB season, Suzuki already has 21 with three full months of games remaining this season. The hard-swinging slugger's productivity in the batter's box has helped the NL Central-leading Cubs (47-33) have a successful season to date. In 2025, Seiya Suzuki has 42 extra-base hits in his first 76 games. (KYODO) Suzuki's teammates are making a convincing case that he deserves to be named to the NL All-Star team, even though Shohei Ohtani is the runaway leader in fan voting for designated hitters and will be the starter at that position. The All-Star Game is on July 15 in Atlanta. "It's pretty obvious that Shohei is going to be the guy in that spot," Cubs left fielder Ian Happ commented on the "Rahimi & Harris Show," a Chicago sports talk show, on Tuesday, June 17. "But I really hope the coaches vote and Seiya gets in there. He really, really deserves it. The year he's had, what he's done in his career to this point, like, he deserves to be in that game. So, I really hope that he gets in there." Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner praised Suzuki's overall performance this season on another Chicago radio program on June 17. "Seiya has been really incredible," Hoerner said on the "Spiegel & Holmes Show." "We're not in our position as a team without everything that he's done as a player, just as a staple in the middle of the lineup, the way he's hit with runners in scoring position, impactful homers, the raw numbers, playing good defense when he was out there. "I think the world of Seiya. He's been a great player in this league for a while. But I think he's taken another step this year. And I think an All-Star nod would really solidify that in a pretty cool way." Seiya Suzuki (KYODO) As Hoerner noted, Suzuki has been a clutch hitter this season for the Cubs. He's absolutely correct ― three facets of situational hitting underscore that point. In making the argument that Suzuki should be an MLB All-Star for the first time, you can't ignore how he's hit with runners in scoring position (RISP), with runners in scoring position and two outs, and with the bases loaded. Suzuki, who was a five-time NPB All-Star during the earlier chapter of his career with the Hiroshima Carp (2013-21), is batting .317 (26-for-82) with runners in scoring position. This includes 12 extra-base hits, eight homers and 47 RBIs. In other words, he's stepped up and delivered key hits again and again to help the Cubbies score runs. With RISP and two outs, Suzuki has thrived. He's 12-for-34 (.353) with five homers and 21 RBIs. And with the bases loaded, he's batting at a .600 clip (6-for-10) with 10 RBIs. "This year, I'm conscious of swinging aggressively without fearing strikeouts," Suzuki said, according to Kyodo News, on June 17. "I'm managing to hit the ball at the right point." Seiya Suzuki (KYODO) A career .315 hitter with the Carp, Suzuki had batting averages of .262, .285 and .283 in 2022, 2023 and '24 for Chicago. Hitting with more power this season (he's already matched his MLB season-high total set in 2024), Suzuki is an important part of the Cubs' offense. "The power and the big swing of the bat, the three-run homers are [huge]," Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters in a pregame interview on Wednesday, June 25. "On most nights you hit a three-run homer, you feel like you have a pretty good chance to win the game." Asked to pinpoint the reason for Suzuki's increased power this season as a hitter, Counsell said "no." The Cubs skipper then added, "I mean, I think he's just hitting the ball hard, he's obviously getting the ball in the air a little better." Counsell went on to describe what he's seeing from the dugout when Suzuki smashes the ball over the fence. "More of his home runs are like the one he hit last night, which are just a line drive rather than a towering majestic home run," Counsell said. "That's just the nature of Seiya's swing path and ball flight." Cubs teammates Pete Crow-Armstrong (left) and Seiya Suzuki (Sergio Estrada/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS) Suzuki belted two homers in a 6-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on June 7. In his article on the game, Chicago Tribune baseball reporter Paul Sullivan noted that the Japanese slugger and teammate Pete Crow-Armstrong are engaged in a friendly competition to be the team leader in homers and RBIs. They challenge each other to drive in runs and hit the ball over the fence. "Seiya says when he hits a home run, I have to as well," Crow-Armstrong was quoted as saying by the Chicago Tribune . "If that turns into real motivation, it's great." Crow-Armstrong also has 21 homers to date. He has 61 RBIs. Seiya Suzuki and his American teammate form a potent one-two punch in the heart of Chicago's batting lineup. And their productivity is directly linked to the team's success this season. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
With the clock ticking on Kyle Tucker in Chicago, the Cubs can't go halfway at the deadline
The sense of urgency for the Chicago Cubs does not simply stem from the prospect of right fielder Kyle Tucker leaving after one year. The Cubs could lose five more important players to the open market after 2026, making an aggressive push at this year's trade deadline all the more imperative. The potential members of the free-agent class of 2026-27 are left fielder Ian Happ, designated hitter Seiya Suzuki, second baseman Nico Hoerner, right-hander Jameson Taillon and left-hander Matt Boyd. That group, combined with Tucker, accounted for 37 percent of the team's fWAR entering Tuesday. And while the Cubs might retain some of those players, they are unlikely to keep all of them, Tucker in particular. Advertisement Their situation is not now or never, not with the emergence of center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong giving the 2026 roster a formidable look even if Tucker departs. But ownership's reluctance to sign players long-term, coupled with the possibility of a work stoppage in 2027, adds to the perception of a shrinking window. Or, to use a more dire analogy, walls closing in. The Cubs' biggest need, after losing left-hander Justin Steele to season-ending elbow surgery and righty Javier Assad to a strained left oblique, is a pitcher who could start a postseason game. That type of pitcher almost certainly will be in scant supply at the deadline. But the Cubs, according to sources briefed on their plans, already are canvassing the market, making inquiries on Miami Marlins right-handers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, among many others. Alcantara, owed the balance of his $17 million salary this season and $17 million next season with a $21 million club option for 2027, would require a significant payroll boost. Cabrera, earning $1.95 million with three more years of arbitration remaining, would be a better financial fit – no small consideration for a team that reduced its Opening Day payroll from $214 million in 2024 to $191 million in '25. But the additional club control would make the cost in prospects perhaps even higher. The Marlins are certain to listen on both pitchers. A number of potential free-agent starters, from Arizona's Zac Gallen to Baltimore's Zach Eflin, also could become available. The Cubs might find one of them more palatable, considering the limited salary commitment and reduced cost in prospects. But this is not a time for the team to go halfway. Not if owner Tom Ricketts is serious about winning a World Series in one of the next two years. Which, of course, is an open question. And with the Cubs' lead over the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central down to 2 1/2 games, it's becoming more pressing. Advertisement Lefty Shota Imanaga, who has not pitched since May 4, is scheduled to return from a strained left hamstring Thursday. He would join a rotation that currently includes Taillon, Boyd, rookie Cade Horton and journeyman Colin Rea. The Cubs demoted inconsistent rookie right-hander Ben Brown on Tuesday. If another starter gets hurt, they will be stretched dangerously thin. And like every other contender, they also could use bullpen help. Offensively, the Cubs entered Tuesday ranked second in the majors in runs per game, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers. They were 12th last season with essentially the same cast. Cody Bellinger filled the spot currently occupied by Tucker. Crow-Armstrong was not close to what he has become. The addition of Tucker has been that transformational, producing ripple effects throughout the lineup. His value, like the value of all elite sluggers, goes beyond his numbers. But his price might exceed $500 million. Even if Ricketts was willing to pay Tucker that much – another open question – would he be willing to increase the Cubs' payroll enough to build a strong team around him? The prospect of Tucker and Crow-Armstrong in the same lineup for the next five years should be enticing. First baseman Michael Busch, another dynamic left-handed hitter, is under club control for the next four. Adding to the appeal: Tucker is 28, Busch 27 and Crow-Armstrong 23. The Cubs actually are positioned perfectly to sign Tucker. Their only player under contract beyond 2026 is shortstop Dansby Swanson, who is signed through '29. Of course, the reason their commitments are so low is because Ricketts seems resistant to the notion of paying a player in his decline years. Which, with Tucker, he almost certainly would need to do. Replacing Tucker on the open market, though, also would be no bargain. The Cubs already struck out once on third baseman Alex Bregman, who is likely to opt out of his deal with the Boston Red Sox. With Busch at first, they are not an obvious fit for Pete Alonso, who is likely to opt out of his deal with the New York Mets. A reunion with designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, whom they non-tendered in 2020? That would be rich, in more ways than one. Advertisement But first things first: the trade deadline, which is a little more than five weeks away. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, in the last year of his contract, need not prove more to earn an extension. His trade for Tucker was a winner, even if it cost the Cubs a budding star, Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith. His acquisition of Crow-Armstrong for two months of Javier Báez at the 2021 deadline and PCA's subsequent development must now be viewed as a major coup. Hoyer also hit on a number of free agents – Suzuki, Imanaga, Taillon, Boyd. And the Cubs are incorporating homegrown players like Horton, third baseman Matt Shaw and reliever Porter Hodge with varying success. The deadline, though, will be a challenge. Many clubs find the allure of the expanded postseason intoxicating. The number of sellers and the quality of players available might not dramatically increase. A common thought among executives is that the San Francisco Giants' acquisition of Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox might be the biggest trade to take place. If that's the case, the Cubs simply might need to do what they did to land Tucker, and overpay. Teams get only so many chances to play deep into the postseason. The Cubs have made the playoffs only three times since winning the 2016 World Series, and advanced past the wild-card round only once. But right now, they own the third-best record in the NL. The clock is ticking, on Tucker for 2025 and the five potential free agents for 2026. As stirring as the Cubs' season has been, an underlying uncertainty threatens all they've accomplished. The fun might only last so long. (Top photo of Seiya Suzuki and Kyle Tucker: Matt Dirksen / Chicago Cubs / Getty Images)
