MLB Game Preview: Chicago Cubs (54-36) vs. Minnesota Twins (43-47)

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Minnesota Twins logo

Matchup: Chicago Cubs (54–36) vs. Minnesota Twins (43–47)
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Time: 7:40 PM ET
Venue: Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
Broadcast: MARQ (Cubs), Bally Sports North (Twins), MLB.TV
Streaming: FuboTV, MLB.TV (regional restrictions apply)

Game Overview

The Chicago Cubs open a three-game road series against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Cubs are surging, having won seven of their last 10 games, while the Twins are trying to stay afloat in the AL Central after splitting their last 10. This marks the first meeting of the season between the two clubs.

Chicago enters the series with one of the best offenses in baseball, while Minnesota will rely on its home-field advantage and a resurgent Byron Buxton to keep pace.

Starting Pitchers

TeamPitcherRecordERAWHIPK
CubsShota Imanaga (LHP)5–22.781.0041
TwinsSimeon Woods Richardson (RHP)4–44.411.3455
  • Imanaga has been excellent in his return from injury, allowing just 1 ER over his last 10.1 IP. Opponents are hitting just .198 against him this season.
  • Woods Richardson has allowed 2 or fewer hits and 1 or fewer runs in 3 of his last 4 starts, but he’ll face a Cubs lineup that ranks second in MLB in runs scored.

Key Players to Watch

Chicago Cubs

  • Seiya Suzuki: 25 HR, 77 RBI, .561 SLG – Leads team in both HR and RBI
  • Michael Busch: .297 AVG, 18 HR, 56 RBI – Batting .500 (17-for-34) with 6 HR in last 10 games
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong: 23 HR, .272 AVG – 7th in MLB in both HR and RBI

Minnesota Twins

  • Byron Buxton: .270 AVG, 20 HR, 53 RBI – 12th in MLB in HR, 29th in RBI
  • Trevor Larnach: .259 AVG, 12 HR – 3 HR in last 10 games
  • Carlos Correa: .256 AVG, 7 HR – Veteran presence in the middle of the order

Team Stats & Trends

CategoryCubsTwins
Record54–36 (1st NL Central)43–47 (3rd AL Central)
Last 10 Games7–35–5
Team ERA3.78 (7th in NL)4.29
Batting Avg.257 (5th in MLB).239 (20th in MLB)
Home Runs136 (3rd in MLB)102 (12th in MLB)
Run Differential (Last 10)+29Even
  • The Cubs have hit the over in 6 of their last 10 games.
  • The Twins are 24–18 at home, but just 1–2 in their last three home series.

Game Odds

Chicago Cubs                     – 142

Minnesota Twins             9

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Monday, July 7, 2025

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