Empire State Review Team 
The Chicago Cubs secured a 7-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Wrigley Field, clinching the series and continuing their impressive run against sub-.500 teams. With this win, the Cubs have achieved a 14-4 record over their past 18 games against such opponents. The triumph also extended their lead in the National League Central to four games and improved their overall record to 15 games above .500, marking their best performance since 2018.
Starting pitcher Jameson Taillon delivered a solid performance, allowing only three hits and two runs over 6⅓ innings, earning his third consecutive win and improving his season record to 5-3. However, he continues to lead Major League Baseball in home runs allowed, having surrendered 16 this season, including a two-run homer to Elly De La Cruz in the sixth inning.
The Cubs’ offense was led by Michael Busch, who contributed a two-run home run and an RBI single, bringing his season total to eight home runs. Pete Crow-Armstrong also had a standout game, going 3-for-4 with an RBI, two stolen bases, and three runs scored. Nico Hoerner added three hits and two RBIs, including a key two-run single in the seventh inning.
Outfielder Kyle Tucker exited the game in the fifth inning due to a jammed right ring finger sustained during a first-inning slide into second base. X-rays were negative, and he is listed as day-to-day. Despite the injury, Tucker managed to hit a ground-rule double and score a run before his departure.
The Cubs capitalized on Reds’ defensive errors and timely hitting to build their lead. In the third inning, they scored four runs, highlighted by Busch’s two-run homer. They added another run in the fifth and two more in the seventh, taking advantage of Cincinnati’s miscues. The bullpen, including Ryan Pressly and Ryan Brasier, effectively closed out the game, allowing only one additional run in the ninth inning.
With this victory, the Cubs have won six of their last seven games. They will have a rest day on Monday before beginning a 13-game stretch on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals.
