Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/8/25): Cubs 1, Braves 4 – Offense Sputters Again as Tucker Remains Out

A day after pissing the game away in the 9th inning, the Cubs did everyone a favor and ended this one almost immediately. After retiring the first two batters he faced, Shota Imanaga gave up a homer, single, double, and single to effectively bury his offense in an 0-3 hole. Even though he settled in nicely from that point, the game was over.

Cubs batters once again made Braves starter Bryce Elder look like Paul Skenes as they looked helpless for the most part across 6.1 innings of one-run ball. This after notching just a single unearned tally against him a few days ago at Wrigley. They had a fake rally in the 6th, loading the bases with two outs before eventually squandering the opportunity with a groundout.

A leadoff double by Nico Hoerner produced the Cubs’ only offense of the night, though it turned into something of an adventure. A groundout by Willi Castro pushed Hoerner to third, then a chopper to third from Dansby Swanson sent third baseman Nacho Alvarez Jr. tumbling into Hoerner, briefly knocking the runner off the base. Hoerner made it back safely, then tagged up on a Matt Shaw sac fly.

Aaron Civale gave up a solo homer to Matt Olson in the bottom of the 8th that was merely academic at that point with the way the Cubs were hitting. It was interesting that Kyle Tucker, who was supposedly available for this one, didn’t come in to hit for Castro at the end of the game. Not that it really would have mattered, but this is now the fifth game in six days that Tucker hasn’t played. (Box score)

Key Moment

Rookie Drake Baldwin doubled home the Braves’ second run of the game with two out in the 1st inning to give his team an insurmountable lead.

Why the Cubs Lost

They scored one freaking run for the third time in seven September games.

Stats That Matter

• The Cubs struck out eight times and drew just one walk.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong DH’d for the first time in his career.
• Imanaga had a quality start despite the early stumble: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.

Bottom Line

You can talk all you want about how the Cubs are in solid playoff position, but failing to score multiple runs against mediocre pitching time and time again doesn’t bode well. The Tucker situation is maddening, whether it’s the team mismanaging the IL or the player stubbornly refusing a designation because it could hurt his free agency. But hey, at least they didn’t need to employ a new closer.

On Deck

These two teams square off again tomorrow evening at 6:15pm CT as Cade Horton is set to take on Spencer Strider in a contest airing on Marquee and 670 The Score.