Chicago Cubs Lineup (6/25/26): Conforto in RF, Ramírez DH, Boyd Returns
We could say the Mets are the cure for what was ailing the Cubs, but the offensive explosion in Queens actually started over a week ago. The Cubs have put up at least six runs in each of their last six games and have put up a total of 59 in that span. That has coincided with the rebirth of Dansby Swanson, who has driven in 18 of those runs while slashing .478/.519/1.174 with a 339 wRC+ in just 27 plate appearances. Over his previous 142 PAs in 39 games, he slashed .142/.227/.205 with a 25 wRC+ and 4 RBI.
Talk about carrying a team and taking a little pressure away from Pete Crow-Armstrong. Nico Hoerner may also be finding his stroke, with five doubles and six runs scored while spraying the ball to all fields in the last three games. Several others have gotten in on the action, making it look much more like the balanced attack we saw earlier in the year.
That certainly bodes well for the return of Matthew Boyd from his second IL stint this season. The lefty underwent a cleanup procedure on his left knee and was making great progress before a setback delayed his return, but now he’s back just at the right time. Through five starts, Boyd is posting a career-best 31% strikeout rate with a 6% walk rate that is higher than only one previous campaign: last season.
His 6.00 ERA is much worse than his 2.35 FIP says it should be, which is odd given how strong the Cubs’ defense has been. He only went four innings in his last rehab outing with South Bend and probably won’t be asked to go more than five tonight, but just having him back healthy is a much-needed boost to the rotation.
Crow-Armstrong will lead off in center, followed by Michael Conforto in right and Michael Busch at first. Alex Bregman is at third, Ian Happ is in left, Hoerner is at second, and Pedro Ramírez is the DH. Miguel Amaya is the catcher and Swanson is the most productive nine-hole hitter around.
They’re facing well-known nemesis Freddy Peralta, who is likely to be traded ahead of the deadline, for the second time this season after handing him a loss back in April. Both because of their need and the familiarity with Craig Counsell, many believe the Cubs will be players for Peralta on the trade market. He’s not doing himself many favors with his recent performance, though, as getting bounced after allowing 10 earned runs to the Phillies over 2.2 innings doesn’t look great.
Not that teams are going to hold one outing against him in light of a much stronger track record, but Peralta’s season is shaping up to be the worst of his career by a wide margin. His 4.83 ERA is more than two runs above his overall average, his 22.1% strikeout rate is seven points off his norm, and he’s giving up more hard contact than usual.
Is that a matter of pitching in a big market while trying to earn a massive payday? Maybe. Whatever the reason, the Cubs are hoping he keeps it up for at least one more game. Peralta’s velocity is down a tick from last season on his fastball, changeup, and slider, but it’s actually up by as much on his curve. The heater is the only one of those pitches with positive run value so far, and it’s still not as sharp as it has been.
He’s not getting as much ride on the fastball, nor is he getting the same arm-side movement on the slider or depth on the curve. That has resulted in him hanging a lot more pitches in the zone, particularly with the breaking balls. Traditionally one of the most split-neutral pitchers you’ll ever see, the trouble with his curve and change has led to much more standard splits in 2026.
We’ve seen how Peralta is susceptible to cracking under pressure, as was the case in last year’s NLDS, and trying to play stopper against a team that could be in the market for his services might bring out the worst in him. Let’s hope so, because it sure would be nice to head to Milwaukee on the wave of a sweep.
First pitch is at 6:10pm CT on Marquee and The Score.
