The Chicago Cubs head to Camden Yards on Tuesday, July 7, for a 6:35 PM ET matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. Matthew Boyd gets the ball for Chicago against Baltimore's Shane Baz in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching duel between two arms with plenty to prove. The Cubs will be looking to their lineup — headlined by Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alex Bregman, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ — to do some damage against an Orioles club that has loaded up with legitimate offensive firepower of its own. This is a regular-season contest that matters, and the Cubs need to come out swinging on the road.

Cubs at Orioles: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 — Game Preview

Pitching Matchup: Boyd vs. Baz

Matthew Boyd draws the start for the Cubs. The veteran left-hander has been around long enough to know what it takes to navigate a tough lineup, and he will need every bit of that experience on Tuesday. Boyd's ability to work deep into games and limit traffic on the bases will be central to Chicago's chances at Camden Yards.

Shane Baz takes the hill for Baltimore. The right-hander is a talent worth respecting, and pitching at home in front of an Orioles crowd gives him an added edge. The Cubs will need to be disciplined early, get a read on his stuff, and manufacture pressure before Baz settles in.

Cubs Lineup to Watch

• Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF, leadoff) — PCA sets the table. His speed and ability to get on base in front of the middle of the order is critical to how this offense functions.
• Alex Bregman (3B, No. 2) — A professional hitter who works counts and makes pitchers work. Baz will not get through Bregman's at-bat cheaply.
• Michael Busch (1B, No. 3) — Busch has earned his spot in the heart of this order. His power potential against right-handed pitching is a real threat.
• Seiya Suzuki (RF, cleanup) — Suzuki in the four-hole means the Cubs have genuine run-scoring upside. A hot Suzuki can change a game in a single swing.
• Ian Happ (LF, No. 5) — Happ is a grinder who draws walks and drives in runs. His presence behind Suzuki makes the lineup hard to navigate around.

Orioles Lineup Threats

Baltimore is not short on talent. Gunnar Henderson at shortstop is one of the most dangerous young hitters in the American League, and Pete Alonso at first base gives the Orioles a genuine power presence in the middle of the order. Adley Rutschman hitting second makes Baltimore's lineup a legitimate test for Boyd from top to bottom. The Cubs' left-hander cannot afford to let Henderson or Alonso beat him with men on base.

Keys to the Game

• Boyd needs to limit the damage against Henderson and Alonso, keeping the ball down and avoiding the big inning.
• Crow-Armstrong and Bregman need to set the table early so Busch and Suzuki can drive runs home against Baz.
• The Cubs' bullpen depth will matter if Boyd runs into trouble in the middle innings at a hitter-friendly Camden Yards.
• Nico Hoerner and Miguel Amaya in the bottom third of the lineup can punish a pitcher who loses focus late in an at-bat — do not overlook the bottom of this order.

Prediction

This one comes down to whether Boyd can limit the Orioles' middle-of-the-order damage long enough for the Cubs' offense to build a lead against Baz. Baltimore's lineup is deep and dangerous, but so is Chicago's. Expect a competitive, back-and-forth game. The Cubs have the lineup depth to grind out a run or two late, and Crow-Armstrong's ability to create from the top of the order is the difference-maker. Cubs 5, Orioles 3.

Catch the game on Marquee Sports Network or listen on 104.3 The Score.