Cubs vs Mariners Lineup: Happ is Back, Ramirez Struggles, No More Walk-Offs! More

Shota Imanaga looks to stop the Cubs skid in a Sunday matinee with the Mariners

Aug 22, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (3) throws to first base against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Chicago Cubs are officially on a losing streak after being walked off in back-to-back games by the Mariners, losing 5-4 in the 9th on Saturday night.

Despite Mariners No.1 prospect Kade Anderson looking like an ace in moments, the Cubs managed to score 3 runs off the rookie and tack on another for a 4-2 lead going into the final frame. But Randy Arozarena pulled a PCA, leading off the game with a home run and then hitting a walk-off 2-run home run off Jacob Webb.

The Cubs are 4-6 in their last 10 games and losers of three straight games – all while the Brewers have won three games in a row and extended their division lead to 7.0 games. The Cubs also lost some ground for the top Wild Card spot with the Phillies winning eight games in a row and sitting just 2.0 games back now.

The Mariners were on life support before the Cubs gave them two impact wins this weekend. Craig Counsell and the guys need to right the ship before a crucial series with the Diamondbacks this week.

Game Info

Who: Chicago Cubs (74-56) vs Seattle Mariners (62-68)
Where: T-Mobile Park - Seattle, WA
When: 3:10 PM CT
Watch: Marquee Sports Network
Listen: 104.3 The Score

Chicago Cubs Lineup

1. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
2. Seiya Suzuki, DH
3. Michael Busch, 1B
4. Alex Bregman, 3B
5. Ian Happ, LF
6. Nico Hoerner, SS
7. Pedro Ramirez, 2B
8. Michael Conforto, DH
9. Carson Kelly, C

Ian Happ is back in the lineup vs a righty, batting 5th and playing left field for the finale. Happ did have a home run in the opening game of this series. Craig Counsell also plugs in Michael Conforto at DH, but he's been hitless in his last five games and only has 4 hits in 12 games this August. Pedro Ramirez has also struggled since being inserted into the everyday lineup, batting .192 in his last seven games.

Bregman and Busch hit back-to-back home runs yesterday, with both guys hitting the first pitches they saw over the wall – more of that, please!

Seattle Mariners Lineup

1. Randy Arozarena, LF
2. Dominic Canzone, DH
3. Julio Rodriguez, CF
4. Cal Raleigh, C
5. Josh Naylor, 1B
6. Weston Wilson, 3B
7. Cole Young, 2B
8. Victor Robles, RF
9. Leo Rivas, SS

Yesterday was the Randy Arozarena show, robbing a home run and hitting two of his own – including the walk-off winner. But this Mariners team is in the midst of a losing season and has caught the Cubs in a bit of a skid. Stay away from Arozarena, and the Cubs have a good chance to salvage a win this afternoon.

On the Mound ...

Cubs – Shota Imanaga, LHP

Aug 16, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) looks on from the dugout against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Shota Imanage has a 2.45 ERA in his last seven starts, and while he did allow 3 home runs in a recent start against the Nationals, he's only allowed 8 home runs in total during this seven-game stretch. He got a no-decision in his recent 6.0-inning 10K outing vs the White Sox, but his excellent outing was done-in by a Randall Grichuk 3-run home run.

Imanaga was able to suppress a White Sox lineup that currently ranks third in home runs, so hopefully he can do that against a Mariners team that's flashed plenty of home-run power already this series.

Mariners – Bryce Miller, RHP

Aug 18, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller (50) is taken out of the game by Seattle Mariners designated hitter Dominic Canzone (8) in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The 27-year-old Bryce Miller has a 3.71 ERA, but over his last seven starts, he's 0-5 with a 6.57 ERA, so the Cubs are catching the righty at a good time! Miller has allowed at least 4 runs or more in five of his last seven starts and has given up a home run in each one of those starts, as well.

Only Alex Bregman has more than a game's worth of plate appearances against Miller and hasn't had much success (.528 OPS in 20 PA). But maybe that changes today with Miller's recent struggles with keeping the ball in the park!

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