Chris Flexen gave up a home run to Mike Tauchman as the Northsiders dropped a Friday contest to their Chicago counterparts.

This round of the City Series arrives as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The Cubs are in a position to buy while the White Sox will be looking to sell.

Since the White Sox won the last game on August 15, 2023, the Cubs have beat them eight straight games. There was one win in 2023, then the Cubs won all four in August of 2024. Earlier this season, the Cubs swept the White Sox, outscoring them 26-8.

The Chicago Cubs have one of the best records in MLB so far this season, and the Cubbies don't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. They are considered strong World Series contenders, arguably for the first time since they broke the 108-year curse in 2016.

Cubs rookie Cade Horton has been inconsistent, but he has fanned 4+ batters in five of his last seven starts. He'll face a White Sox lineup that is 29th in the majors in OPS (.660) and 24th in strikeout rate (23.2%).

If the Chicago Cubs make the postseason, adding another quality starter who can slot into a playoff series would make them a serious World Series threat.

With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, the clock is ticking for the Chicago Cubs to improve their starting rotation. While Shota Imanaga and veteran

As the Cubs prepare for Game 1 of the Crosstown Classic Friday against the White Sox at Rate Field, two pitchers are working to rejoin the club. Starting pitcher Jameson Taillon threw 47 pitches during a bullpen session Friday at Wrigley Field,

Shota Imanaga against the White Sox tonight: 3.0 IP | 12 H | 7 ER | 2 K pic.twitter.com/ew6ewAJssm

When the Chicago Cubs are good, you can feel it, and this season, the energy is palpable because the Cubs have been one of baseball’s best teams. The atmosphere around Wrigley Field has reached playoff levels as the calendar gets close to August — a sign that good baseball is being played at the Friendly Confines.