Chicago Cubs news — Imanaga, Suzuki, Townsend

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Today’s Reflections

Well, what can you say when a pitcher, making his second start of the season and coming off a horrible season debut, is absolutely brilliant? Well, the Cubs hitters helped — 12 of the Cubs’ 16 strikeouts came with Hunter Greene on the mound. But credit is given where credit is due.

That said, the Cubs were outhit 13-4. The hot Seiya Suzuki had two of those, including a double, but with no one on base, they were for naught. And the Cubs, who have been recipients of plenty of walks of late, only managed one Friday.

Yes, Shōta Imanaga gave up yet another solo shot, but he stranded the other seven baserunners while striking out five. There is an article below that points out his big flaw, but gives him credit in every other facet of his game.

But. The bullpen. As shown below, it was easy come, easy go for Jake Woodford. He’s the reliever that turned Imanaga’s effort to dust, giving up a triple and three-run home run that turned a 1-0 game that wasn’t that close into a rout that might as well been 20-0. Thanks so much for stopping by, Jake.

Josh has done a great job covering the Cubs’ draft results. I added a few stories, including some for first-round pick Cade Townsend, below only for some variety of opinion.

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Friday’s Game Stories:

• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/10/26): Reds 4, Cubs 0 – Greene Great in Shutout. “Newly returned ace Hunter Greene dominated the road team from the opening pitch and it was never much of a game.”

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• Sean Sears (Chicago Cubs On SI): 3 Takeaways After Cubs’ Offense Flops, New Bullpen Arm Crumbles in Loss to Reds. “Hunter Greene baffled the Cubs bats for 12 strikeouts in tonight’s shutout.”

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Cubs Analysis of the first four picks of the draft (although none are better than Josh’s, but this is just for some variety of opinion):

• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs’ 2026 first-round draft pick confirms Jed Hoyer wasn’t blind to crippling need. “Cubs might not be allergic to pitching.”
• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Cubs 2026 first-round pick could immediately rocket up team’s prospect rankings. “Cade Townsend is a huge addition to the organization’s pitching ranks.”
• Jason Ross (North Side Baseball): Chicago Cubs Select Cade Townsend with the 23rd Pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, “Cade Townsend’s strength lies directly in his stuff.”
• Andrew Wright (North Side Baseball): Chicago Cubs Select Caden Sorrell with No. 62 Overall Pick In 2026 MLB Draft. “With their second pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Chicago Cubs grabbed Caden Sorrell, a college outfielder with some impressive pedigree.”
• Jason Ross (North Side Baseball): Chicago Cubs Select Myles Bailey with the 75th Pick In 2026 MLB Draft. “With the 75th pick in the MLB Draft, the Chicago Cubs selected FSU first baseman, Myles Bailey.”
• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Cubs embrace love of pitchers with spin with third round pick in 2026 MLB Draft. “In his breakout 2026 campaign, it was spin or bust for this Nebraska right-hander.”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs undercut by Royals as they provide early shockwaves in 2026 MLB Draft. “Wow.”

Trade Talk:

• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs trade deadline plans turned upside down thanks to Twins-Blue Jays trade. “Not ideal for our hopes.”
• Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs trade deadline mailbag: Priorities, prospects and the ‘Pitch Lab’. “Who might the Cubs move ahead of the deadline?”
• Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Cubs have a dark horse trade candidate that absolutely nobody is talking about. “I wouldn’t say it’s likely, but don’t know if we can completely rule this one out.”

Assorted Stories:

• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): ***** Imanaga has given up more home runs than just about anyone, but Cubs thankful for what he’s given them. “Imanaga’s 22 home runs allowed are the second most in the sport. But despite that, the Cubs are happy he’s been able to pitch well, otherwise, and make 19 starts, helping out a pitching staff hammered by injuries.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune {$}): Column: Despite lackluster 4-0 loss to Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs should be satisfied with their first half. “Who are the real Chicago Cubs? We’re still asking ourselves that question nearly four months…”
• Charlie Wright (MLBRumors): Cubs Designate Jake Woodford For Assignment. “Right-hander Jake Woodford has been designated for assignment by the Cubs, the team announced. Reliever Phil Maton is back from the injured list to take Woodford’s spot in the bullpen.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Michael Conforto bouncing back with best offensive season in years as Cubs laud veteran’s ‘selflessness’. “Conforto is hitting well this season, all while impressing his teammates with his willingness to fill any role after signing up as a former All Star and veteran of 10 big league seasons knowing he’s likely be a part-timer.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune {$}): Column: Chicago Cubs reliever Phil Maton hopes to erase troubles, and Craig Counsell recalls his draft-day bonus. “How much of Maton’s first-half struggles were due to his knee issues?”
• Joey Ricotta (OnTapSportsNet): Who Can the Cubs Trust in the Bullpen Right Now? “The Chicago Cubs have a bullpen problem; there is no other way to put it. Where they stand and how they can improve the situation.”
• Tyler Courtney (LastWordOnSports): What Are the Biggest Cubs Weaknesses That Could Derail Chicago’s Season? “While Chicago has rebounded from its early-season slump, some of the biggest Cubs’ weaknesses have been revealed.”
• Joey Ricotta (OnTapSportsNet): Pete Crow-Armstrong Pacing To Do What No Cubs Player Has Ever Done. “What Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is doing is remarkable, and he is on a path no other Cub has ever taken.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): How dazzling defense has helped Cubs survive injury barrage: ‘Best defensive team I’ve ever been a part of’. “The Cubs have not crumbled under the weight of an avalanche of pitching injuries, thanks in no small part to their excellent leather-wielding and cadre of Gold Glove defenders.”

Food For Thought:

Christian Willisohn (born January 22, 1962 in Munich ) is a German blues pianist and singer.
His musical career began in 1980 in Munich clubs; In 1986 he gave up his profession as a stonemason and sculptor. In 1987 he played with Zora Young for the first time in the US. Since then he has played with many international blues musicians. Today he performs throughout Europe with classics and original compositions with texts by his wife, Alexandra Mayer.


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