After striking out Angels shortstop Zach Neto with a nasty curveball, Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera spun around on one leg before walking off the mound.
He was in the type of groove that the Cubs envisioned when they acquired him from the Marlins for outfield prospect Owen Caissie. Cabrera struck out five and walked one batter in six scoreless innings in the Cubs’ 7-2 victory over the Angels on Monday at Wrigley Field.
He incorporated all five of his pitches and effectively handled the Angels’ lineup. Cabrera didn’t allow his first hit until the third inning and was efficient, throwing 80 pitches (49 for strikes). He also induced 15 whiffs on 40 swings and limited hard contact. Only two of his 80 pitches were considered hard hit.
“There was a lot,” manager Craig Counsell said of what impressed him. “He had to get everything working. And [catcher Carson Kelly] felt really comfortable with any pitch [in] any count. With [Cabrera’s] stuff, if we get into that mode, it’s going to be a tough night for hitters, and he got better as the game went on.”
Kelly and Counsell pointed to Mike Trout’s at-bat in the first inning as the turning point. On a 3-2 count, Cabrera threw an 87.6 mph curveball for a strikeout of the former MVP, capping an eight-pitch at-bat.
“Once you do that in the first inning, you set the tone,” Kelly said.
For Cabrera, he felt the energy before the game when he walked onto the field. After playing for desolate crowds in Miami, he got to experience a stadium with 36,702 fans. It was the eighth start of his career with six-plus scoreless innings and the first since Aug. 25, 2025.
“He did a tremendous job,” Kelly said. “[Cabrera] had good command with everything and electric stuff. Having all those pitches and keeping guys guessing; there’s not one pitch you can sit on, and that’s what really makes it special.”
Cabrera leaned on his changeup and four-seamer but also incorporated his slider, curveball and sinker. Counsell said the key for Cabrera will be controlling counts, as he did Monday. He attacked the zone and had tremendous control all night. He did a good job getting ahead of hitters and gave the Cubs a glimpse of the pitcher they hope to see consistently.
‘We’re at the last steps’
Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki is inching closer to returning from the sprained posterior cruciate ligament he suffered in the World Baseball Classic.
Counsell said that Suzuki might return on the Cubs’ six-game road trip that begins Friday in Cleveland. Counsell said the next two days are critical for determining if Suzuki is ready for a rehab assignment.
“We’re at the last steps,” Counsell said. “We’re at basically full speed, quick change of directions, quick stops, things like that.”
Catcher rotation
Kelly got the nod at catcher. With Miguel Amaya healthy, the Cubs have a formidable tandem that’s adept defensively and at the plate.
How Counsell balances playing time will be watched. Last season was one of Kelly’s most productive. He batted .249 with 17 homers and 50 RBI. Amaya appeared in just 28 games because of an oblique injury and an ankle sprain.