The Chicago Cubs will try to salvage the final game of their series against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday after dropping the first two contests, including a 5-4 defeat Saturday night.
Manager Craig Counsell’s club faces the prospect of a series sweep on the road as it looks to regain momentum in the National League Central race.
While the focus remains on the diamond this weekend, the organization also provided an encouraging progress report on pitcher Ben Brown, who has been sidelined for more than two months. Brown has not appeared in a major league game since June 19, when an injury forced him from the active roster.
During the current series with Seattle, the Cubs shared the latest details on his recovery path.
MLB.com wrote (on August 22): “Faced hitters in a live BP session on Aug. 21 in Arizona. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Brown will face hitters again this coming week. If things go well, a Minor League rehab assignment could follow.”
That timeline points toward a possible return to big-league action sometime in September, according to team expectations.
Before the setback, Brown posted a solid 4-2 record with a 1.85 earned-run average across 20 appearances, eight of them starts.
The right-hander was selected by the Cubs in the 33rd round of the 2017 draft and is now in his third season at the major league level, all spent with Chicago. His absence has tested the depth of the pitching staff as the club navigates the stretch run of the regular season.
Standing in second place in the National League Central, the Cubs own a 74-56 mark through 130 games played. They have struggled of late, going 4-6 over their past 10 contests, and sit at 36-29 in road games this year.
Once the series in Seattle wraps up, Chicago will head to Phoenix for a Monday night matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Meanwhile, the Mariners occupy third place in the American League West with a 62-68 record after 130 games. Seattle has been playing solid baseball recently, posting a 6-4 mark in its last 10 outings and holding a 35-29 home record.
The back-and-forth nature of the weekend series has highlighted both clubs’ strengths and shortcomings as August draws toward a close.
For the Cubs, avoiding the sweep would provide a much-needed lift heading into the next stretch of the schedule. Brown’s gradual return to facing live hitting offers a bright spot amid the current challenges on the field.
Counsell and the coaching staff will continue monitoring the pitcher’s progress closely in the days ahead. Fans following the team hope the rehab process stays on track so Brown can contribute during the final weeks of the campaign.
The organization remains optimistic about adding another arm to the mix once September arrives, based on the recent bullpen session results.
Overall, the combination of series results and injury updates paints a mixed picture for Chicago as it pushes for postseason positioning.
