Cubs vs. Diamondbacks rematch Tuesday after 7-0 shutout
The Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks meet again Tuesday, August 25 at 8:40 p.m. CT in Phoenix after Chicago's 7-0 shutout on Monday night. Clay Holmes (5-6, 2.49 ERA) starts for the Cubs against Brandon Pfaadt (7-1, 3.39 ERA) as the Diamondbacks try to bounce back and Chicago pushes its NL Central chase. Bleed Cubbie Blue opened its live game thread with a simple rally cry for Holmes ahead of the rematch.
Key Takeaways
- Chicago beat Arizona 7-0 on Monday behind Kevin Gausman's seven-inning, three-hit performance.
- Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hit back-to-back homers in the sixth to break open a tight game.
- Tuesday's first pitch is set for 8:40 p.m. CT, with Clay Holmes opposing Brandon Pfaadt.
- The Cubs moved to 76-56 and sit 5½ games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central.
- MLB.com published Matthew Boyd data visualization as part of Cubs-Diamondbacks coverage.
What happened in Monday's Cubs-Diamondbacks game?
Chicago rolled the Diamondbacks 7-0 on Monday night at Chase Field in Phoenix, according to ESPN's game recap. Kevin Gausman (2-1) allowed just three hits and one walk over seven innings, striking out six on 94 pitches in his best outing since joining the Cubs at the trade deadline from Toronto.
The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the second when Pedro Ramirez tripled down the right-field line to score Ian Happ. Seiya Suzuki doubled off the left-field wall in the fifth to bring home Conforto and make it 2-0.
Conforto and Kelly delivered the decisive blow with two outs in the sixth against reliever Taylor Clarke. Conforto's two-run homer to right made it 4-0, and Kelly, a former Diamondback, followed with a solo shot to left. Conforto reached base four times with a single, double, homer and walk. Happ and Ramirez each had two hits.
Who starts Tuesday's Diamondbacks rematch?
Arizona sends right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (7-1, 3.39 ERA) to the mound Tuesday against Cubs righty Clay Holmes (5-6, 2.49 ERA), ESPN reported. Bleed Cubbie Blue's live thread for the August 25 game carried a short message of support: "Go get 'em, Clay."
Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly (8-12) took the loss Monday, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks over 5⅔ innings with four strikeouts. Arizona managed only five hits, all singles, though Corbin Carroll stole two bases.
Why does this series matter for the NL Central?
Monday's win improved Chicago to 76-56 overall and 38-29 on the road. The Cubs trimmed their deficit in the NL Central to 5½ games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, who were off Monday. A second straight victory over the Diamondbacks would keep that pressure on Milwaukee during a tight pennant stretch.
For Arizona, now 69-63 and 38-29 at home, Tuesday is a chance to reset after being shut out in front of the home crowd. Pfaadt's 7-1 record and 3.39 ERA give the Diamondbacks a credible arm to answer Chicago's momentum.
How is data tech shaping Cubs-Diamondbacks coverage?
Beyond the box score, MLB.com highlighted data visualization tied to Matthew Boyd against the Diamondbacks as part of its Cubs coverage hub. That kind of analytics-first presentation mirrors how modern sports media blends real-time stats with broadcast storytelling.
For more on how data and emerging tech are changing what fans see on and off the field, browse our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage. Tuesday's 8:40 p.m. CT first pitch gives both teams a fresh stage to write the next chapter of this Arizona series.