Chicago Cubs news and notes — Ashcraft, Cabrera, Cruz

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Jeimer Candelario is waiting for the phone to ring. He’s a fallen Angel.

Pirates 4, Cubs 3.

Edward Cabrera opposed Braxton Ashcraft. Both threw well enough, Ashcraft getting the upper hand this time around, with help from O’Neil Cruz, who had a Game. Two of the Cubs’ runs came in on groundouts, by Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson. The third was driven in by Alex Bregman, with two out in the bottom of the ninth. The game went to extras.

Alas, the Cubs fell, and they’ll have to salvage one game today, and turn over a new loaf for the next mini-series, Monday against the Phillies.

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Cubs Jaxson Wiggins is dealing with a sore arm. Jed Hoyer confirmed he is being backed up for now.

— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) April 10, 2026

• Jason Mackey (MLB.com): ‘We know we’re a good team’: Pirates channel proper perspective after win over Cubs. “We don’t have to prove anything,” Reynolds said.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Quantifying Hope: Cubs enter weekend trailing Pirates by 10 points. “… this series could really create a little upheaval if one team is able to sweep, as it’s the only divisional matchup taking place.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs’ Jed Hoyer not second-guessing how team handled Cade Horton: What we’re hearing. “… I just think that is the nature of pitching in 2026.” Bleacher Nation has more.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs lose after Craig Counsell pulls ***** Imanaga from no-hitter: ‘Easy decision’. “There’s danger in making that a 120-pitch outing in his third start of the year.”
• Gordon Edes (Chicago Sun-Times {$}): Cubs pitcher Edward Cabrera adds to rotation’s domination. “So far, the Cubs’ starting rotation, though reeling from the loss of Cade Horton for the season, has dominated opponents.”
• Jacob Zanolla (Bleacher Nation): Cubs’ starting rotation helping team stay afloat amidst offensive struggles. “It would be fair to expect the starting pitching to take a step back in terms of performance after losing both Boyd and Horton, but that hasn’t been the case.”
• Kyle Williams (Chicago Sun-Times {$}: Cubs’ Nico Hoerner staying true to himself, which leads to early-season success. “I’ve had stretches where I’ve thought of hitting for power as taking chances and big swings. That’s taken me away from some of my strengths,” he said.

Food For Thought:


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