Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/28/25): Cubs 2, Cardinals 0 – Getting Hot in Time for Postseason
This one only mattered for pride and momentum, if you’re into such things. The Cubs had already sealed up home-field advantage in their series against the Padres, so Sunday was kind of a spring training affair in which there were lots of late substitutions and position changes. Craig Counsell also leaned on three pitchers who have served mainly as starters to get 27 outs and keep the pitching staff fresh.
Javier Assad went 5.1 shutout innings, striking out six with just one walk and three hits allowed to a Cardinals squad that clearly had one foot out the door already. Michael Soroka finished the 6th before Jordan Wicks took over to pick up a rare three-inning save. It’s very possible we see both bulk men left off the postseason roster due to availability, but they did their jobs well today.
Seiya Suzuki provided the Cubs with the only offense they’d need, launching a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the 5th. That makes five homers and 10 RBI in the last four games for the right fielder/DH, who is getting hot at the right time. Though his 122 wRC+ is the lowest he’s had in the last three seasons, he played a career-high 150 games and obliterated his previous bests with 32 homers and 103 RBI.
Moisés Ballesteros got his first action behind the plate on Sunday and showed that he needs to be on the playoff roster by collecting an RBI single in the 7th inning. The rookie is batting .298 with an .868 OPS and 143 wRC+ over 66 MLB plate appearances, making him an ideal bench bat.
There was very little else of note in this one, as the game raced by in barely over two hours due to the general lack of offense. (Box score)
Key Moment
Suzuki’s homer effectively put the game away.
Why the Cubs Won
They put up the smallest possible crooked number against a Cardinals team that was simply mailing it in.
Stats That Matter
- Soroka reached 95.6 mph or higher four times in seven pitches, which is a very good sign.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong lined a single at 108 mph for the hardest-hit ball of the game.
- This was the Cubs’ 92nd win of the season
Bottom Line
The Cubs won three straight to close the season and they scored five or more in five of their last six, giving them confidence and momentum heading into their Wild Card tilt with the Padres. Cade Horton being out is a bummer, but the rest of the staff is still good enough to win as long as the offense shows up.
On Deck
Next up is a Tuesday afternoon matchup with the Padres. We’ll see how Counsell elects to construct his rotation, and whether he opts to go with an opener in one of the first two games. Bruce Levine believes that will be the play, and Counsell has indicated that he’s willing to be creative when it comes to finding ways to win games. Both of the first two Wild Card games are at 2:08pm CT on ABC and 670 The Score.
