Aggressive tactics by Cubs lead to a 4-1 win against Blue Jays
On August 13, 2025, the Chicago Cubs outsmarted the Blue Jays in a strategic battle, securing a 4-1 victory. The Cubs' game plan was clear: attack Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman's fastball early and often.
From the opening at-bats, the Cubs were proactive, challenging Gausman's fastball rather than being tentative or overly patient. This approach paid off, as Michael Busch and Matt Shaw both hit solo home runs off Gausman, contributing to the Cubs' victory.
Gausman pitched well overall, allowing only three hits and two earned runs in seven innings. However, the Cubs' focused strategy on his fastball led to critical offensive successes. Key hits resulting from this strategy included homers by Busch and Shaw, showcasing the effectiveness of pounding the fastball early in counts.
Despite Gausman's attempts to mix his pitches, such as using a splitter to strike out Ian Happ, the Cubs maintained their plan to be aggressive against his heater. The game's momentum shifted in the third inning when Busch hit a solo home run for his 23rd homer of the year, followed by Shaw's solo shot in the fifth inning, his 10th homer of the season.
The Cubs added two insurance runs in the eighth inning, and Daniel Palencia worked a clean ninth inning for his 16th save. The game was not without drama, as Chicago catcher Miguel Amaya was taken off the field on a cart in the eighth inning due to a sprained left ankle. X-rays did not reveal a fracture.
On the mound for the Cubs, rookie starter Cade Horton was dominant, holding the Blue Jays without a hit until the sixth inning. He retired the first 10 Blue Jays in order before Andres Gimenez got the first Blue Jays hit. Horton was replaced by reliever Andrew Kittredge in the sixth inning.
The Cubs outhit the Blue Jays 6-2 in the game. Bo Bichette was walked in the fourth inning, and Addison Barger was retired on a flyout in the sixth inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit an RBI double in the sixth inning.
Despite allowing just three hits and two earned runs over seven innings, Gausman was tagged with a loss. The Cubs' strategic approach against his fastball proved to be the deciding factor in this close-fought game.
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