The Chicago Cubs secured back-to-back victories over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on Monday and Tuesday, underscoring their capacity to challenge the Dodgers’ dominance despite trailing in their division. The Cubs took a 10-5 win on Monday followed by a 5-1 victory Tuesday, handing Dodgers’ newly acquired left-hander Tarik Skubal his first loss since joining the two-time defending World Series champions.
Skubal, who won the American League Cy Young Award in 2024 and 2025, pitched six innings Tuesday, allowing two runs before exiting with the Cubs leading 2-1. Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson hit a solo home run off Skubal in the third inning to tie the game, and later Nico Hoerner’s infield hit in the sixth broke the deadlock. The Cubs added three more runs after Skubal’s departure, benefiting from solid pitching from right-hander Javier Assad and a bullpen that delivered over three perfect innings.
Cubs players emphasized their team’s balanced approach to the game. Swanson described the Cubs as a team built to perform well in all aspects, able to play “complete games” on the bases, in the field, on the mound, and at the plate. New reliever Ryan Zeferjahn praised the Cubs for doing “every little thing right,” reflecting the team’s disciplined style of play.
The Cubs continue to rest left fielder Ian Happ against left-handed pitching due to his struggles against southpaws this season. Manager Craig Counsell started recently acquired outfielder Tyrone Taylor in left field Tuesday, citing Taylor’s stronger numbers against left-handed pitching, though Counsell indicated that Happ would still receive some at-bats against lefties moving forward.
Tuesday’s games also produced notable moments off the field. Fans at Wrigley expressed their displeasure toward former Cub outfielder Kyle Tucker, who signed a $240 million deal with the Dodgers in the offseason, booing him throughout the game. Tucker responded with a second-inning home run, silencing critics temporarily.
Skubal’s arrival in Los Angeles has deepened the competitive gap between the Dodgers and Cubs, with some observers highlighting the Dodgers’ outsized payroll and ability to acquire elite talent. The Dodgers boast a rotation that could include Skubal alongside high-profile pitchers such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki—creating an unprecedented depth of starting pitching as the playoffs approach.
Analysts note that the Dodgers’ financial power, with an estimated revenue of $850 million in 2025 and some of the highest player contracts in the league, has continually fueled their success, resulting in consistently better regular-season records than the Cubs and sustained postseason dominance. This financial disparity has reignited debates about competitive balance and the potential need for a salary cap in Major League Baseball.
Despite these challenges, the Cubs remain optimistic about their chances, especially after their own effective moves at the trade deadline and recent strong performances. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer acknowledged the formidable task ahead but emphasized the organization’s commitment to preventing a Dodgers three-peat in the World Series.
As the season progresses, the rivalry between the Dodgers’ powerhouse roster and the scrappy, well-rounded Cubs is poised to be a defining storyline of the MLB postseason.