Game of the Week: July 6: PHI @ CHC

[Commissioner Erick]

Philadelphia Phillies (43-39) @ Chicago Cubs (38-46)


PHI: A.J. Masucci (7-4, 5.14)
CHC: Etienne Toet (7-5, 4.41)


Phillies 5 Key Stats

2: The number of times the Phillies have lost to the Cubs in 7 games the last two times they met in the playoffs. Philadelphia lost in seven in the 2023 NLCS and the 2024 NLDS.

1: Game for Osiris German as Philadelphia’s new closer. Dave Simon, who allowed Giancarlo Stanton’s series winning home run in the 2023 NLCS, and Kris Bryant’s game-winning home run in the 2024 NLDS has been demoted.

5.14: A.J. Masucci’s ERA. After an outstanding 2025 where Masucci went 14-3 with a 3.71 ERA, he’s taken a step back. He strikes hitters out, but he’s allowed more-homers per-nine this year compared to last.

.280: Darrick Hall’s on-base percentage. Hall is on pace for 45 home runs—which is somehow almost 35 home runs fewer than he hit the season before—but he’s not hitting for average or getting on base. Hall hit .253 with a .355 OBP last year, but is hitting .201 with a .280 OBP this year.

142: Zach Britton’s save total with the Cubs. After a nice career with Baltimore, Britton was outstanding in Chicago, winning Reliever of the Year in 2021, and leading the league in Saves in 2024. He has a chance to face his old team for the first time as a Phillie.


Cubs 5 Key Stats


9-24: The Chicago Cubs record in their last 33 games. Chicago got off to a good start and looked like a wild card competitor early, but has fallen to 38-46.

10-22: Chicago’s record in one-run games. That’s the most one-run games in the NL and the worst record.

.564: Kris Bryant’s June OPS. Bryant had a strong May after a rough April, but hit just .167 with three homers in June. With so many injuries and weak spots, the Cubs really need Bryant to produce and he hasn’t in two of the three months of the year.

3.9: Francisco Lindor’s WAR total, putting him on pace for a 10th consecutive season with 6.6 WAR. Lindor’s offensive numbers are the lowest of his career, but they’re still excellent and he’s in the running for a sixth Gold Glove.

57: Rafael Jimenez’ OPS+. Chicago has three players who should be in Triple-A, so they’ve needed their major-league caliber hitters to play well. Jimenez has not done so, batting .192 with 70 strikeouts in 59 Games.


Questions for the GMs


For Matt Grubs, what convinced you that Ryon Healy would be such a strong contributor after he never had a single year with a WAR higher than 1.1.

How has your team been weathering the loss of Stud Morales?

Why did you move German to your closer role?

For Brandon Hillebrand, A.J. Toet has had decent surface level stats, but gives up a ton of home runs. Are you concerned with him facing the Phillies, who lead the league in home runs?

With your team fading out of the race, will you look to trade some of your stars like Francisco Lindor?

Which young players have you given playing time to that you feel will be part of your future?





TRIVIA: Which pitcher with a first name or nickname of A.J. has the most career Wins?

[Commissioner Erick]

Ben correctly guessed A.J. Puk

[Grubs - Philly]

What convinced you that Ryon Healy would be such a strong contributor after he never had a single year with a WAR higher than 1.1.
I was honestly puzzled why he’d been, in my opinion, under-rostered the past few years. I brought him in to handle lefties and provide defensive support for Hall, but he’s thrived with regular play and made setting my lineup against righties tricky.

How has your team been weathering the loss of Stud Morales?
Not well. Beer’s been hot, but with the team generally underperforming, it’s been hard. We brought in Charlie Blackmon to help with the clubhouse vibe. We’ve been pleased with Jake Fraley, who’s finally leveraged his skill into numbers.

Why did you move German to your closer role?
He’s not been his normal self this year. I don’t see it as a full-time thing, and we might put Britton in to handle closing duties or go back to a committee. Simon just functions more effectively as a middle reliever or setup guy, so we’re not forcing the issue.

[Commissioner Erick]

Phillies 9 - Cubs 8


WP: A. Araujo (4-0)
LP: J. Camarillo (4-3)
SV: O. German (1)



The Philadelphia Phillies topped the Chicago Cubs by the score of 9-8, with the largest share of the credit going to right fielder Seth Beer. Beer was 2 for 3 with 2 home runs and 2 walks. He drove in 4 runs and scored twice for the Phillies. Chicago has now lost 6 consecutive games.

Beer had a game-changing home run in the top of the eighth. On a 1-2 cutter from Jorge Camarillo, he banged a 2-run home run to right, giving the Phillies a 9-7 lead. It was the 15th home run of the year for Beer.

"We'll enjoy this win," said Beer. "But there's more we hope to accomplish."


Questions for the GMs:


For Matt Grubs, your bullpen was depleted today and your manager bot used former starter Osiris German for a 2-inning save. Did you agree with the decision to give German an extra inning?

How do you feel Miguelangel Sierra looked at Shortstop to you?

Dave Simon worked the second inning today. How scarred are you of Chicago hitting big homers off him that you had him avoid the late innings against Chicago today?

For Brandon Hillebrand, you had a chance at a win but Rayan Gonzalez and Jorge Camarillo had rough outings. How disappointing is it to lose a late lead?

Your team is now 10-23 in one-run games. What explains how poor your club has done in one-run games?

Rafael Jimenez homered and doubled. Do you think he's breaking out of his slump?


TRIVIA: What team in what year underperformed its Pythagorean record by the most games?

[Grubs - Philly]

Your bullpen was depleted today and your manager bot used former starter Osiris German for a 2-inning save. Did you agree with the decision to give German an extra inning?
—I do. He can’t go deep too often when he’s starting, but he can go multiple innings in relief without trouble.

How do you feel Miguelangel Sierra looked at Shortstop to you?
—I could’ve done without the error, but he looked okay turning a double play. He’s our third-best option there and will more likely replace Gimenez at second if he needs a few days off.

Dave Simon worked the second inning today. How scarred are you of Chicago hitting big homers off him that you had him avoid the late innings against Chicago today?
—Dave’s not our closer and we feel more comfortable with him in a middle relief role.

[Commissioner Erick]

Daniel correctly guessed the 2024 Angels