The Chicago Cubs close out their road trip on Sunday, August 23, 2026, traveling to T-Mobile Park in Seattle for a 4:10 PM ET first pitch against the Mariners. Shota Imanaga gets the ball for Chicago, squaring off against Seattle right-hander Bryce Miller in what shapes up as a genuine pitching duel. With the regular season in full swing and every game carrying weight in the standings, the Cubs need a strong performance on the road to keep pace. Catch the action on Marquee Sports Network or 104.3 The Score.
Cubs at Mariners Pitching Matchup: Imanaga vs. Miller
Shota Imanaga is Chicago's assignment here, and the Cubs' left-hander is exactly the kind of arm you want taking the mound in a road game against a tough lineup in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. T-Mobile Park suppresses offense, so the margin for error is slim — which, frankly, suits Imanaga's style just fine.
On the other side, Bryce Miller is a legitimate challenge for the Cubs' offense. The Seattle right-hander has the stuff to keep hitters off-balance, and pitching at home in front of a crowd that turns out for Mariners baseball gives him an added edge. The Cubs will need to be disciplined at the plate and work counts early if they want to do any damage.
Keys to Watch for the Chicago Cubs
- Imanaga's command: If he's locating his pitches and keeping Seattle's hitters guessing, the Cubs have a real shot. Any mechanical hiccups or elevated pitch counts early could put the bullpen in a tough spot.
- Plate discipline against Miller: Miller can be sharp, but patient at-bats that force him to throw strikes give the Cubs lineup a chance to do damage. Looking for walks and working into hitter's counts will be critical.
- Bullpen management: If Imanaga goes deep into the game, Chicago's relief corps gets a breather. A short outing means the middle relievers face a tough environment at T-Mobile Park with the game potentially on the line.
- Road-trip mentality: Closing out a road trip with a win is a statement. The Cubs have a chance to pick up ground and build momentum heading back home.
Prediction
This is the kind of game that can go either way when two quality starters are on the mound and the park keeps the ball in play. The Cubs get Imanaga on a day when the matchup sets up for a low-scoring, tight affair. Give the edge to Chicago if Imanaga is on — his ability to miss bats and avoid big innings is exactly what road games in Seattle call for. Cubs 3, Mariners 2.
