Chicago Cubs Lineup (6/29/25): Swanson Batting Cleanup, Turner at 1B, Berti at 3B, Taillon on Bump
Their win last night meant the Cubs will go into July with a lead in the NL Central, it’s just a matter of how big. Since both they and the Brewers are off Monday, the closest Milwaukee can get is one game. It would be best to win today and keep that margin at two games for obvious reasons, but the Cubs have the benefit of seeing their division rivals play the Mets (3), Dodgers (6), and Mariners (3) a combined 12 times in July.
For now, Craig Counsell‘s squad needs to take care of business in Houston. That starts Sunday afternoon with Jameson Taillon on the bump. He’s given up 13 earned runs on 16 hits (5 homers) over his last two starts, both of which lasted only four innings, so he needs to put together a significantly better effort in this one.
It may not matter if the offense explodes again like it did on Saturday, erupting for 12 runs on 15 hits from eight players. Ian Happ is in left and maintains his normal spot as the leadoff hitter, Kyle Tucker is in right, and Seiya Suzuki is the DH. Dansby Swanson bats cleanup, Pete Crow-Armstrong is in center, and Carson Kelly is behind the plate. Nico Hoerner plays second, Justin Turner is at first, and Jon Berti bats ninth at third.
Counsell is doing nothing to shake the allegations that he punts on Sunday games, but perhaps the corner infielders will surprise us.
Making their task a little tougher than usual is lefty Framber Valdez, one of the more consistent pitchers in baseball over the last five seasons. Though his sinker has lost a little zip, he still gets decent strikeout numbers between it and his curveball. But the real value of his hard stuff isn’t getting whiffs, it’s keeping the ball on the ground over 61% of the time. They don’t need to mow the grass after Valdez starts because he’s a one-man grounds crew.
His four-seam and slider are used very sparingly and the changeup he throws less than 20% of the time is more of a show-me pitch to righties. Traditionally a very split-neutral pitcher, Valdez is putting up reverse numbers this season as left-handed batters handle him a little better across the board. Of course, he’s faced about six times as many right-handed batters so far.
If there’s a weakness to his game, it’s that he gives up a lot of hard contact. While the grounders neutralize that for the most part, hits aren’t necessarily at a premium when he’s on the mound. Getting a win in the series finale, something the Cubs have struggled with this season, may be as simple as wearing him down with station-to-station hitting. Then again, the Houston bullpen is not to be trifled with.
Whatever it takes to grind this one out. First pitch is at 1:10pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.
Final game against the Stros.
Watch it live on the Marquee Sports Network App. pic.twitter.com/3eDfoNv4PQ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 29, 2025
