Chicago baseball report: Cubs make the case for Seiya Suzuki as an All-Star, White Sox get a viral stolen base

The Chicago Cubs have a chance to secure a sweep heading into a big weekend series against a division rival.After taking the first two games of their series against Cleveland, the Cubs turn to rookie Cade Horton to finish off the Guardians before the St.

Louis Cardinals come to Wrigley Field for the holiday weekend.

The Cubs have a great opportunity to build on their division lead, currently 3 games up on the Milwaukee Brewers and 5 games ahead of the Cardinals.The teams with the two worst records in the majors meet in Denver when the White Sox visit the Colorado Rockies for a three-game series beginning on Friday.The Sox are in last place in the American League Central with a 28-57 record entering Wednesday.

The Rockies are on pace to break the modern-day MLB record for most losses in a season 121 set last year by the Sox.

They were 19-66 entering Wednesday.Every Thursday during the regular season, Tribune baseball writers will provide an update on what happened and whats ahead for the Cubs and White Sox.Want more? Sign up for our Cubs Insider and White Sox Insider.Cubs make the case for Seiya Suzuki to be an All-StarChicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki advances to second base as Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio leaps for a high throw from home plate in the first inning of a game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on July 2, 2025.

(Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)When the rest of the All-Star Game rosters are revealed Sunday, the Cubs are hoping Seiya Suzuki got enough votes from players to be included among the National League reserves.Suzukis three-RBI night in Wednesdays 5-4 win over the Cleveland Guardians put him atop the major-league leaderboard with 73 RBIs, one shy of his career high in 2023, while his 23 home runs already exceed the most hes hit in a season, which came last year (21).Manager Craig Counsell called Suzuki super deserving for an All-Star Game honor after outfielders Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker were named starters Wednesday.Hes having an All-Star year, theres no question about it, Counsell said of Suzuki after the win.Suzuki picked up his 70th RBI on Tuesday in the Cubs 85th game.

The last Cub to reach 70 RBIs in 85 or fewer games was Sammy Sosa in 2001, per team historian Ed Hartig.

Sosa reached 70 in the teams 69th game.Through Wednesdays game, Suzukis .550 slugging percentage ranks fourth in the National League.

And he continues to take advantage of his teammates getting on base ahead of him.

Suzukis 179 wRC+ with runners in scoring position is tied with the Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper for eighth-best in the NL.I dont think there should be any question or any thought that Seiya Suzukis earned a spot on an All-Star team this year, Crow-Armstrong said Wednesday.

Hes just really good about doing his work.

...

I dont think Ive ever seen anybody flush baseballs like him that Ive played with.

(Ian Happs) got a tendency to do that.

And Oneil Cruz makes a baseball look really small, Ohtani does, but Seiya Suzuki, the way he compresses and spins baseballs is super impressive.Asked about Crow-Armstrongs comment and potentially being an All-Star, Suzuki wasnt looking too far ahead.Obviously, if chosen I would want to go, Suzuki said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry.

But I think my focus is on trying to get to the postseason, thats more important.Starter Adrian Houser continues his resurgence with the SoxChicago White Sox starting pitcher Adrian Houser throws against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning at Rate Field on June 28, 2025, in Chicago.

(John J.

Kim/Chicago Tribune)Adrian Houser took his resurgence to another level Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.The Sox right-hander pitched a season-high seven innings, allowing just four hits while striking out five and walking one in a 1-0 victory at Rate Field.It was Housers third scoreless outing since signing a one-year deal with the Sox on May 20.

The first two occurred in his first two starts with the club May 20 against the Seattle Mariners and May 26 at the New York Mets.

He went six innings in both of those appearances.Houser is 3-2 with a 1.90 ERA in seven starts for the Sox.I just try to focus on hitting my mechanic key points and keep that locked in and right where its at, he told the Tribune on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

For the most part, Im tinkering with it, going back and forth, making adjustments when I need to.

Just trying to hammer that down and keep it rolling.Houser has bounced back from last year, when he had a 5.84 ERA in 23 appearances (seven starts) with the Mets.

Following Saturdays start, Houser compared this stretch to a period of time when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers.I put a pretty good run in there in 21, so its up there, Houser said.

Im just trying to work on the stuff Im trying to do, make sure my mechanics are in the right spot, where I need them to be to be able to execute pitches.

After that, the rest is out of my control.Houser, whose name has come up in trade speculation, has pitched at least five innings in each of his starts.

His next scheduled start is Friday against the Rockies at Coors Field.Hes been able to pick us up when the guys (in the bullpen) really need a blow, Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz said.

Its really good for our starters to see how he goes about his business, how hes been able to attack the strike zone.Number of the week: 339 1/3The Sox have gotten plenty of work out of their bullpen.

Their relievers are second in the American League with 339 1/3 innings pitched coming into Wednesday.

Only the Athletics relievers have logged more innings 341 1/3 among American League clubs.Week ahead: CubsThursday: vs.

Guardians, 7:10 p.m., MarqueeFriday: vs.

Cardinals, 1:20 p.m., MarqueeSaturday: vs.

Cardinals, 1:20 p.m., MarqueeSunday: vs.

Cardinals, 5:10 p.m., MarqueeMonday: offTuesday: at Twins, 6:40 p.m., MarqueeWednesday: at Twins, 6:40 p.m., MarqueeChicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga watches the flight of a ball that went for a solo home run for Cleveland Guardians designated hitter David Fry in the third inning of a game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on July 2, 2025.

(Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)The basket above the ivy-covered outfield wall can be a hitters best friend.Conversely, it can give pitchers nightmares on fly balls that otherwise would likely be outs at the wall.

Left-hander Shota Imanaga allowed only four hits to the Guardians in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday, but three of those hits landed in the left-field basket for solo home runs.Carlos Santana and Lane Thomas hit back-to-back pitches into the basket both off four-seam fastballs to put Cleveland ahead in the second inning.

David Fry followed in the third inning with another shot to the basket off another four-seamer.

Santanas home run had a .270 expected average while Frys was a .400 xBA.

Thomas home run featured a .960 xBA but would not have been gone in 10 ballparks, including Clevelands.I just felt that that basket can mean heaven or it can be hell, Imanaga said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry.Early on, I noticed that they were attacking the fastballs so I was thinking about how can I show them the fastball and then adjust with the offspeed pitches.Eight of the 10 home runs Imanaga has surrendered this year have come without runners on base.Week ahead: White SoxThursday: at Dodgers, 9:10 p.m., CHSNFriday: at Rockies, 7:10 p.m., CHSNSaturday: at Rockies, 8:10 p.m., CHSNSunday: at Rockies, 2:10 p.m., CHSNMonday: vs.

Blue Jays, 6:40 p.m., CHSNTuesday: vs.

Blue Jays, 6:40 p.m., CHSNWednesday: vs.

Blue Jays, 1:10 p.m., CHSNChicago White Sox's Chase Meidroth, left, steals second against San Francisco Giants second baseman Brett Wisely during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, June 29, 2025.

(AP Photo/Nam Y.

Huh)Chase Meidroth attempted to steal second base in the fifth inning of Sundays game against the San Francisco Giants.The throw beat him to the bag, but Meidroth stopped his feet-first slide short of the base, avoided Brett Wiselys tag and then stepped on second.

He was initially ruled out, but the call was reversed after a video review.The stolen base went viral.It kind of just happened, Meidroth said on Tuesday.

I didnt want to slide into his glove.

Figured stop and see whats next.Just kind of one of those blacked out moments where you react to whats given to you on the field.

It was a cool play.

Ive never done that before.Manager Will Venable said Meidroth has those instincts to make such a play.The rookie infielder has experienced another first in the three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which wraps up Thursday at Dodger Stadium.I grew up here, said the Manhattan Beach, Calif., resident.

As a kid, I came here all the time.

Its cool to come back here.

Ive never played here.

A first for me.Its a dream come true for myself and my family.What were reading todayChicago White Soxs Miguel Vargas makes special return to Dodger Stadium and picks up a World Series ringColumn: Chicago Cubs will be trade-deadline buyers.

But will Jed Hoyer have the OK to go for broke?Chicago White Sox minor-league report: Colson Montgomery and Hagen Smith end June on positive notesWill Chicago Cubs ride it out with rookie Matt Shaw? Or could they look to make a move at 3rd base?Column: What to watch in July for Cubs and White Sox, including a Mark Buehrle tribute and City Series Round 2How Chicago Cubs Daniel Palencia is honoring Luis Guevara after Baltimore Orioles prospects tragic deathHow is the Garrett Crochet trade working out? Chicago White Sox seeing production in the majors and minors.QuotableTheres a gift, and your swing is a little bit of your DNA.

You cant completely escape it, the way you first picked up a bat.

But hes honed it to a wonderful place, and his strike zone discipline is outstanding as well.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell on Kyle Tuckers plate approach..

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