Cubs Throw Combined No-Hitter Against Pirates

The Chicago Cubs achieved a significant milestone by throwing a combined no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates, marking the 18th in franchise history and the second combined no-hitter since 2021, with Shota Imanaga leading the effort. Despite this accomplishment, the Cubs faced challenges in their recent games, suffering a frustrating 5-0 loss to the Pirates and dropping to 4.5 games behind the National League's third wild-card spot. Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox are struggling tremendously, having lost their 100th game this season, marking back-to-back seasons with over 100 losses, a historic low for the franchise. The White Sox's poor performance places them on track for one of the worst records in MLB history, potentially surpassing infamous teams of the past. As the Cubs aim for a postseason spot, their struggles with offensive power remain a concern, evidenced by their below-average rankings in home runs and batting metrics. In contrast, the Cubs have shown improvement in recent weeks, ranking among the top teams in home runs and slugging percentage during a strong stretch of play.