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The Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers will go head-to-head today at Comerica Park in what promises to be a marquee matchup between two first-place teams. Both clubs are leading their respective divisions as we head toward the middle of June in the 2025 MLB season. That sets the stage for an exciting cross-league showdown under the Friday night lights on Apple TV+.
Let’s dive into this matchup while recapping both teams’ seasons and making a game pick.
After several seasons of retooling, the Chicago Cubs have surged to the top of the NL Central and are finally putting all the pieces together. At the heart of their success is a deep and versatile roster playing fundamentally sound baseball, anchored by a mix of homegrown talent and strategic acquisitions.
One of Chicagi’s biggest developments in 2025 has been the emergence of center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Known for his elite defense, Crow-Armstrong has taken major strides at the plate this season. His growing power has made him a fixture in the top half of the Cubs lineup. Not only does he change games with his glove, but he’s now driving in runs and getting on base at a much higher clip, making him one of the most dynamic two-way players in the National League.
Also boosting the Cubs’ offensive punch is Kyle Tucker, who was acquired in a headline-grabbing trade during the offseason. Tucker has brought serious left-handed power to Wrigleyville, and his presence in the second spot in the lineup has completely changed how opponents approach Chicago’s lineup. A proven run producer and patient hitter, Tucker leads the team in OBP and provides the kind of veteran leadership that elevates the entire team. It will be interesting to see if he suits up in this one since he has been dealing with a jammed finger.
On the mound, 25-year-old Ben Brown, who has had his struggles this season. Brown has an ERA of over 5.00, but he is coming off one of his better outings of the season. Brown may not start in this game because in his last outing, the Cubs started Drew Pomeranz, and then Brown came in and pitched in the second inning and went into the 7th inning.
The Tigers have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2025 season. Sitting atop the AL Central, Detroit has combined elite starting pitching with a maturing offense to vault into legitimate postseason contention. Manager A.J. Hinch has pushed all the right buttons, and with their ace on the hill Friday night, the Tigers have a chance to make another statement.
Tarik Skubal is having a Cy Young-caliber season. The big lefty enters this matchup with a sub-2.30 ERA and a WHIP under 1.00, ranking among the AL leaders in strikeouts and innings pitched. Armed with a blazing fastball and a lethal changeup, Skubal has dominated both righties and lefties, often going deep into games while limiting hard contact. He’s also averaging over 10 strikeouts per nine innings and has looked nearly unhittable at home.
Offensively, the Tigers are getting significant contributions from several young players. Spencer Torkelson has become a consistent power threat, Riley Greene continues to deliver in clutch moments, and Kerry Carpenter adds much-needed left-handed pop. However, it’s the recent emergence of Colt Keith sparking the Tigers’ lineup. The rookie second baseman brings energy, contact hitting, and strong defense, giving Detroit another young core piece to build around.
This is a true heavyweight matchup for Friday night baseball on Apple TV+ — two division leaders with strong rotations, improved lineups and momentum heading into the summer. Finding a clear edge is difficult, but the pitching duel between Ben Brown and Tarik Skubal could be the deciding factor.
The Cubs have handled lefties fairly well this year, thanks in part to the presence of Kyle Tucker neutralizing platoon disadvantages and the emergence of Crow-Armstrong from the left side. However, I can’t ignore Skubal’s dominance at home because he has been truly outstanding.
Ben Brown has the stuff to match Skubal punch-for-punch if he settles in, but Detroit’s patient approach and ability to manufacture runs could put pressure on the young right-hander. If Brown can avoid the big inning and get ground balls, he’ll keep the Cubs in the game.
Given Skubal’s ability to generate whiffs, our favorite play for this game is for Tarik Skubal to record more than seven strikeouts. He’s hit that mark in six of his last seven outings, and with his pitch count consistently climbing into the 90s, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to pile up Ks.
Dylan has had a love for sports since he was a kid. Four years ago, he decided to dive into the sports content-creating industry specializing in Fantasy Football, NFL and NBA. He has since had his work published on sites that include Fantasy Alarm, Fansided, and Fantasy Six Pack.