The Chicago Cubs are looking to increase their offensive output on Saturday following a narrow 1-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Willi Castro is making his Cubs lineup debut, providing a fresh element as the team faces the Orioles at Wrigley Field. Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd, aiming to recover from a difficult recent performance, will take the mound for Chicago.
Changes in the Cubs Lineup Highlight Castro’s Addition
With the Cubs’ bench struggling for consistent production earlier in the season, the arrival of Willi Castro, a switch-hitter with notable defensive flexibility, has prompted changes to the daily lineup. Today’s setup features Castro replacing Nico Hoerner at second base, while Hoerner moves to shortstop to cover for Dansby Swanson, who receives a well-deserved rest.
This adjustment not only inserts an additional left-handed bat, a tactical move against Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano who has struggled against lefties (.347 wOBA allowed this season), but also helps manage player fatigue. Swanson’s day off could be a precursor to more rest days for other key contributors such as Matt Shaw and Nico Hoerner. The Cubs’ corner outfield positions have also been rotating due to Seiya Suzuki’s part-time designated hitter role, offering further opportunities for Castro to impact the lineup.
Analysis of the Orioles’ Lineup Against the Cubs
The Orioles are heading into this game with a lineup that has been weakened further by recent trades, losing key players like Cedric Mullins, Ramon Laureano, and Ramon Urias, all of whom performed well against left-handed pitching. With an overall weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 84 against lefties this season, Baltimore remains vulnerable, setting the stage for the Cubs to capitalize with their left-handed hitters.
Pitching Battle: Cubs’ Matthew Boyd Versus Orioles’ Tomoyuki Sugano
Left-hander Matthew Boyd has been a standout for Chicago all season, posting remarkable numbers in his previous ten starts including a 1.14 ERA over 63.1 innings. However, his last outing in Milwaukee was his worst this year, as he struggled with control, walking five batters and allowing five earned runs over five innings. This performance raises concerns about his ability to maintain the high level he sustained earlier in the season, especially since the Cubs did not acquire a new starting pitcher at the trade deadline.
Boyd’s final line in that game was 5.0 innings pitched, six hits, five earned runs, five walks, and two strikeouts. Despite this setback, the conditions for his bounce-back are promising: the Orioles’ offense has been historically weak against southpaws, the wind at Wrigley Field is blowing in from right-center, and the Cubs’ offense is energized with fresh contributors like Castro.
The Orioles’ starter Tomoyuki Sugano, 35, signed a $13 million deal this offseason and this is his first campaign in the major leagues. He has posted a 4.38 ERA and a 5.21 FIP over 20 starts, showing inconsistency with some quality outings, including a recent strong performance against the Rockies (6 innings, 1 earned run). However, his strikeout rate (15.2%) is notably low, and he allows a high percentage of hard-hit balls with a below-average groundball rate (41.2%). Left-handed hitters have had significant success against Sugano this year, which bodes well for the Cubs’ lefty-heavy lineup today.
Key Injuries Affecting Both Rosters
Chicago enters this matchup without several players, including catcher Miguel Amaya, starting pitchers Jameson Taillon, Javier Assad, and Justin Steele, and relievers Porter Hodge, Eli Morgan, and others. On the Orioles’ side, the injured list includes multiple catchers—Maverick Handley and Gary Sanchez—starting pitchers Cade Povich, Zach Eflin, Tyler Wells, Kyle Bradish, and relievers Scott Blewett, Felix Bautista, Grayson Rodriguez, Albert Suarez, and Cody Poteet. Additionally, key offensive contributors like first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo are sidelined.
Weather and Broadcast Information for Today’s Game
The game is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field in Chicago, with temperatures around 76 degrees Fahrenheit. The wind is blowing moderately in from right-center, a factor likely to suppress home run potential and favor pitching duel outcomes. Fans can watch the game on Marquee Sports Network or listen live on 670 The Score.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Cubs
The Cubs’ decision to integrate Willi Castro into the lineup reflects their urgent need to enhance offensive production as the season progresses. With Matthew Boyd tasked to rebound from a poor start, the team’s pitching and lineup adjustments will be closely watched. If Boyd regains command and Castro contributes offensively, the Cubs could strengthen their pursuit of a playoff position. Given the Orioles’ recent roster changes and struggles against left-handed pitching, this game presents a valuable opportunity for Chicago to build momentum while managing player workloads strategically.