Cubs vs. Royals Preview: Monday 7/21 at 7:05 CT

Cubs Remain in First Place in the NL Central

The Chicago Cubs continue to hold a share of first place in the National League Central, tied with the Milwaukee Brewers at 59-40. This marks a significant achievement for the team, as they have maintained at least a tie for first place for 108 consecutive days, starting from April 4. The Cubs' dominance in the division has been consistent, with their longest lead reaching 6½ games on June 17 after defeating the Brewers at Wrigley Field.

Since that high point, the Cubs have posted a record of 14-12, while the Brewers have improved to 20-5. This indicates that while the Cubs are still leading, the gap is narrowing. The team's ability to stay competitive despite challenges highlights their resilience and strong performance throughout the season.

Run Differential and Offensive Output

Despite a recent loss, the Cubs still lead Major League Baseball in run differential with a +118. Only one other team, the New York Yankees, has a run differential over +100, standing at +112. This metric underscores the team's offensive strength and defensive efficiency.

In terms of runs per game, the Cubs are second in MLB, averaging 5.28 runs per contest. The Los Angeles Dodgers lead this category with 5.30 runs per game. If the Cubs can maintain this average for the rest of the season, they would match the 2008 team’s record of 855 runs, which is the highest for the franchise since 1930.

Lineup and Game Preview

Tonight’s matchup features the Cubs against the Kansas City Royals. The Cubs have made several roster adjustments for the game. Ryan Brasier, a right-handed pitcher, will serve as the opener, a role he previously held with the Dodgers last year. Ben Brown has been recalled from Triple-A Iowa to act as the “bulk guy” for the evening. Brown has had a challenging time in the majors this season but has shown improvement in his two starts with Iowa, allowing just one run in nine innings and holding opponents to a .129 batting average.

Noah Cameron, the Royals’ left-handed starter, was selected in the seventh round of the 2021 draft and made his MLB debut in late April. In 12 starts, he has allowed two or fewer runs in 10 of them. His left-handed pitching presents a challenge for the Cubs, especially given their history of struggling against lefty starters. However, Cameron has never faced any member of the Cubs’ active roster, offering an opportunity for the team to adjust and perform well.

Game Coverage and Fan Interaction

The game will be broadcast on Marquee Sports Network, with availability depending on the viewer’s provider. Outside the Cubs and Royals markets, the game will also be available on MLB Network. Fans can access live streaming through MLB.com, where they can find the Gameday page and a game preview on Baseball-reference.com.

For those interested in interacting with Royals fans, the SB Nation Royals site, Royals Review, is a recommended resource. It is important for Cub fans to engage respectfully and follow the site’s rules, representing themselves and the Cubs positively.

Game Thread Procedures

The 2025 Game Thread procedure will mirror last year’s format. A game preview will be posted on the front page two hours before the game, with a StoryStream containing all related posts, including the First Pitch Thread and overflow thread. The recap will also be published separately on the front page. These threads will be accessible in the “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” section at the bottom of the front page.

The First Pitch Thread will go live five minutes before the game, followed by an overflow thread 90 minutes after the scheduled start time. Fans are encouraged to discuss the game and share their thoughts throughout the night.