MLB

Cubs 3, Pirates 1

Another game, another day of waiting for the Cubs’ post-trade deadline offensive struggles to dissipate. Chicago’s saving grace in this affair was the excellence of Shota Imanaga. The southpaw hasn’t been quite as dominant as he was last season as a rookie, but he’s still a top-tier starter.

In his outing yesterday, Imanaga was pushing for a complete game, but a taxing seventh inning ended his day. The 31-year-old finished with six strikeouts and just one earned run allowed. Imanaga’s ERA sits at 3.06.

Imanaga’s feast was the Pirates’ famine. Let’s be honest, though, nearly every pitcher is a chore for Pittsburgh batters. It’s imperative that the Pirates put forth a better lineup in 2026, as one-run, five-hit efforts like yesterday’s are unacceptable on a regular basis. Money must be spent to bring more offense to the Steel City.

Blue Jays 14, Rangers 2

While the Cubs-Pirates battle was mostly a pitching duel, this contest … was not. The Blue Jays wouldn’t let that happen, as Toronto exploded for 18 hits and four home runs. I was down on the Blue Jays’ offense entering this season, but with 611 runs scored already, the club’s lineup is looking like a force to be reckoned with come October.

Davis Schneider’s exploits at the dish are a chief reason why, and he posted one of his best lines in this victory. Finishing 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs, the left fielder raised his OPS to .874.

While the vibes around the Blue Jays have been auspicious for months, the situation in Arlington has become gloomy. Texas isn’t hitting, and it needs players like Jonah Heim to start producing at a respectable level again.

Heim went 0-for-4 in this loss, dropping his average to .210.