Cubs Set to Receive Huge Kyle Tucker Boost for Brewers Clash
Wrigley Field, Chicago
The Chicago Cubs are poised for a pivotal showdown against the Milwaukee Brewers, and they’ll have a major weapon back in their arsenal: All-Star slugger Kyle Tucker.
After a three-game benching aimed at resetting his rhythm amid a brutal slump, Tucker returns to the starting lineup Thursday afternoon, batting second and manning right field as the Cubs chase a fourth consecutive win over the NL Central-leading Brewers.
Tucker’s August has been forgettable—just 8-for-54 at the plate with a .148 batting average and only two extra-base hits. But Cubs manager Craig Counsell believes the time off may help Tucker rediscover the form that earned him his fourth All-Star nod earlier this season. Before the slump, Tucker was batting .290 with 17 homers and 52 RBIs across 85 games.
Adding intrigue to Tucker’s return is the revelation that he played through a small fracture in his right hand, sustained during a June 1 slide against Cincinnati. While the injury has reportedly healed, Counsell acknowledged it may have contributed to Tucker’s struggles. Tucker, however, downplayed its impact: “It didn’t feel great at the time… but you just make adjustments to go out there and play,” he said.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. With just 35 games left in the regular season, the Cubs trail Milwaukee by six games in the division. Thursday’s game marks the final meeting between the rivals this year, and Chicago now owns the season series tiebreaker after Wednesday’s dramatic 4–3 win.
Tucker’s return also bumps rookie Owen Caissie—who impressed with a .364 average and four RBIs during Tucker’s absence—back to the bench. The Cubs will also be without third baseman Matt Shaw, who delivered a clutch homer and dazzling defense in Wednesday’s win.
With Shota Imanaga on the mound for Chicago and Quinn Priester starting for Milwaukee, all eyes will be on Tucker to see if his reset sparks a late-season surge. For a Cubs team clinging to wild card hopes and chasing a division dream, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
