Cubs Extend Losing Streak to 10, Sanchez Nears Phillies Record, Sandlin to Make MLB Debut

The Chicago Cubs fell to their 10th straight loss on Tuesday, a 12-1 rout at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates exploded for five runs in the first inning and never looked back, extending their lead in the NL Central and leaving the Cubs in a familiar slump. The loss marks the first time since 2017 that Chicago has lost 10 games in a row.

The Cubs started the season with a balanced 4-4 record in their first eight games. But since then, they have struggled to find consistency, with only two games breaking the alternating win-loss pattern. The team has now endured two 10-game winning streaks and now a 10-game losing streak in the span of just over a month. The Pirates are now tied with the Cubs in the NL Central and hold the advantage in the head-to-head series.

Meanwhile, Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez continues to dominate. He extended his scoreless innings streak to 37 2/3 with a shutout performance against the Guardians. Sanchez is just four innings away from passing Grover Alexander for the franchise record. His current streak is the second-longest in Phillies history and ranks among the best in the majors this season. The San Diego Padres are next on his schedule, and they enter the game with the second-lowest OPS against left-handed pitching in the league.

San Francisco’s Kyle Harrison continues to make a case for the NL’s best ERA. After six scoreless innings against the Cardinals on Tuesday, Harrison now owns a 1.57 ERA through 10 starts. He has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his outings and has recorded three consecutive scoreless frames. The left-hander is one out from qualifying for the ERA title and is well on his way to a breakout season.

In Chicago, the White Sox are preparing for the MLB debut of David Sandlin. The right-hander, acquired in a February trade with the Red Sox, was dominant in the minors this season. Sandlin struck out 35.1% of batters faced over 16 1/3 innings and allowed just one earned run. He will face the Minnesota Twins, who rank ninth in OPS and 10th in wRC+ against right-handed pitching in May. His opponent will be fellow prospect Connor Prielipp.

The Cubs will look to end their losing streak when they host the Pirates again on Wednesday. The Phillies and Padres will also face off, with Sanchez on the mound for Philadelphia. The White Sox and Twins will open a new series with Sandlin making his debut.