Chicago Cubs Lineup (7/2/25): Same Batting Order, Imanaga Pitching
The Cubs won the first game of this series in relatively forgettable fashion, other than the wild 2nd inning that saw them retired despite all five batters who came to the plate reaching safely. It was good to see Seiya Suzuki stay hot by setting a new career high with 23 homers. Each one he hits will reset that mark, and he’s got a real shot at reaching 40 if he keeps this up.
It was the kind of win you expect from a superior team, one in which the Cubs jumped in front and then kept the Guardians at arm’s length before playing add-on late. Now they just need to keep doing that every two out of three games, maybe with a blowout here and there. Offense was hardly needed the last time Shōta Imanaga pitched, as he went five scoreless frames with just one hit in his first game back off the IL.
More of the same tonight would be nice, especially after the way this lineup got after him in Cleveland last year. Imanaga gave up seven runs (three earned) over five innings, with two of the seven hits he allowed leaving the yard. Not everyone from that game is still with the Guardians, but it’s enough that Imanaga will have to be better.
One player who has been much better of late is Ian Happ, whose nine homers since the start of June tie him with Suzuki for the team lead. Those two are in their regular spots in the lineup, as are the other seven hitters, so I’m just going to let the card below do all the work.
They’re up against 26-year-old righty Tanner Bibee, who is having a bit of a down year compared to his first two seasons. His strikeout and chase rates are down significantly as his fastball and offspeed values have dropped off. The issue appears to be a decided lack of ride in the four-seam, which is dropping well over an inch more than in the past. His change has a lot more carry than most and is thrown about 13 ticks slower than his 95 mph fastball, so the massive disparity could allow hitters to pick it up better.
Bibee is still a strike-thrower who manages to avoid hard contact, but he’s giving up hits at a higher rate than in the past. So while he’s been very strong for the most part, he’s prone to a stinker every now and then that will inflate his numbers. His platoon splits are very mild, though he’s been much better at home so far. Lefties have really gotten to him on the road, hitting seven of the 15 homers he’s allowed.
This guy has owned the Cubs in limited action, so let’s keep our fingers crossed that he and Imanaga flip their previous results tonight. First pitch is at 7:05pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.
The Sho is back home. pic.twitter.com/OpzMQJR4UJ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 2, 2025
