Chicago Cubs Lineup (8/1/25): Hoerner Leads Off, Kelly Batting Cleanup, Horton Starting
The calendar just turned to August with the Cubs a game out of first place and Wrigley Field was just announced as the host of the 2027 MLB All-Star Game, but the general vibe around Cubdom is pretty meh. Some folks are outright angry, which was also the case heading into spring training. I tend to think the same would be true had they done what it would have taken to land a top “available” starting pitcher at the deadline.
Based on sourced information, today’s starter would be in a different uniform. All that really matters is how the Cubs play from this point forward, starting with three games against an Orioles squad that was heavily depleted by sell-trades. That’s who Cade Horton is up against as he continues to grow into his role as a potential playoff rotation member.
The big thing standing in his way right now is the massive disparity between his whiff rate and strikeout rate. While Horton’s 28.0% in the first category puts him in the 71st percentile among his peers, his 17.3% K rate is in the 16th percentile. Learning how to finish big league hitters will elevate his game in a big way, but he’s shown an ability to gut it out even when he’s allowing more contact than he’d like.
Run support is huge for that as well, so getting a little help from Nico Hoerner in the leadoff spot would go a long way. Kyle Tucker is in right, Seiya Suzuki is the DH, Carson Kelly is catching, and Pete Crow-Armstrong bats fifth in center. Dansby Swanson is the shortstop, Ian Happ is in left, Michael Busch is at first, and Matt Shaw plays third.
This is their standard lineup against lefties like Baltimore’s Trevor Rogers, who is not related to new Cubs lefty Taylor Rogers or his twin, Mets righty submariner Tyler Rogers. However, the O’s starter is a cousin of former journeyman outfielder Cody Ross. After some up-and-down years to start his career, the southpaw seems to have figured something out. He got a late start due to a knee injury, but his 1.49 ERA through eight starts shows he isn’t any worse for it.
Rogers has gotten tremendous results from his 93 mph running four-seam, a pitch he throws over 40% of the time. His changeup has been just as good, even slightly better when adjusted for usage, getting big depth at around 86 mph. The sinker, slider, and sweeper aren’t nearly as valuable, but they’re all still good. Rogers has seen lineups stacked with right-handed hitters, so he’s only faced 26 lefties so far.
They have only two hits against him, leading to a slash line of .087/.192/.087 that is probably ripe for correction. Righties aren’t doing well either, though their numbers are much better when Rogers is a visitor. He pitches efficiently and routinely goes beyond six innings despite a lack of chase and a tendency to give up hard contact. If the Cubs can barrel him up and get the ball in the air, they have a chance to bruise his numbers up in a big way.
First pitch is at 1:20pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.
Back home at @ofcwrigleyfield.
Watch today’s game against the Orioles on the Marquee Sports Network App. pic.twitter.com/CtyMR7dAGg
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 1, 2025
