The host Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics get one last chance to improve on impressive interleague records when they close out a three-game series Wednesday afternoon.
The Cubs (77-74) took a costly loss in the second game of the series Tuesday night, falling 4-3 despite two home runs by Ian Happ. Oakland catcher Shea Langeliers matched that with a pair of long balls.
The loss dropped the Cubs six games out of the last National League wild-card spot with just 11 games to play.
It was a rare interleague defeat for Chicago, which has gone 27-18 against American League competition. Only the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves have more interleague wins.
The Cubs' .600 interleague winning percentage is far better than the team's overall .510 mark.
The A's (66-86) can say the same. Having split the first two games of this series, Oakland will take a 23-22 interleague record into its final game against NL competition on Wednesday.
The A's have also played better in interleague play (.511) than against American League opponents (.402). Oakland and the Tampa Bay Rays are the only teams in the majors with a winning record in interleague play but a losing record overall.
The Cubs, with one more game against the A's and then four against the struggling Washington Nationals, can't afford any slipups in their playoff push. And they are giving importance to the series finale, as left-hander Justin Steele (5-5, 3.09 ERA) returns to the rotation after a stint on the injured list caused by tendinitis in his left elbow.
Chicago manager Craig Counsell defended the decision to activate a pitcher who last appeared in a game on Aug. 27.
"If he's healthy, he's gonna pitch," Counsell said. "And all signs point to him being healthy."
In his most recent outing, Steele allowed two runs in five innings to earn a 9-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. He went on the injured list five days later.
In his only appearance against the A's, Steele limited Oakland to four hits and two runs (one earned) in six innings during a 12-2 road win on April 19, 2023.
A's manager Mark Kotsay discussed his team's one-dimensional offense after the Tuesday win.
"The majority of our runs have been on home runs this year," Kotsay said. "In games when we hit more than one home run, we have a decent record.
"We don't preach to hit home runs. It's rewarding to know that these guys aren't focused on hitting home runs. They're focused on hitting the ball hard. The success has been fun to watch."
Seeking to pitch his way into Kotsay's 2025 rotation plans, rookie left-hander Brady Basso (1-0, 1.23 ERA) will be in search of his third consecutive strong start.
After pitching out of the bullpen for his first three major league appearances, Basso moved into the rotation this month and has yet to give up a run over 11 1/3 innings. In starts against the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox, he allowed just eight hits and two walks while striking out eight.
The 26-year-old has yet to face the Cubs.
