The Chicago Cubs head to Camden Yards on Thursday, July 9, 2026, for a 1:35 PM ET matinee against the Baltimore Orioles. David Peterson gets the ball for Chicago against Baltimore's Trevor Rogers in what shapes up as a pitching-focused afternoon in one of baseball's most storied ballparks. With the second half of the season approaching, every game carries real weight for a Cubs club looking to solidify its position in the National League Central standings.
Probable Pitchers: David Peterson vs. Trevor Rogers
Peterson draws the start for the Cubs in this one. The left-hander will need to command the strike zone and keep Baltimore's lineup off balance early — getting deep into games and preserving the bullpen is a priority for any Cubs starter at this point in the year.
Rogers takes the hill for the Orioles. A left-handed pitcher himself, Rogers has shown the ability to generate weak contact and work through lineups efficiently. The Cubs' right-handed bats will be worth watching against him — how Chicago's lineup adjusts to a southpaw starter could go a long way toward deciding this game.
Keys to Watch for the Cubs
- Peterson's command: Without room to give free passes at Camden Yards, Peterson will need to attack the zone consistently and avoid falling behind hitters. Walks tend to snowball against a lineup with Baltimore's depth.
- Plate discipline against Rogers: Left-on-left matchups can neutralize Cubs hitters if they expand the zone. Chicago's offense needs to work counts and make Rogers throw strikes.
- Bullpen management: If Peterson exits early, how Craig Counsell deploys his relief corps in a day game on the road will be a key tactical decision to monitor.
- Situational hitting: Camden Yards rewards gap power and clean contact. The Cubs will need to cash in on runners when they get them — stranding baserunners against a quality starter is a quick path to a quiet afternoon offensively.
Broadcast Information
Cubs fans can catch Thursday's game on Marquee Sports Network on television, with radio coverage available on 104.3 The Score. Baltimore-area viewers can tune in on MASN, with radio options on WBAL 1090 AM and 98 Rock 97.9 FM.
Prediction
This one figures to be a low-scoring affair with two left-handed starters taking the mound. Peterson has the tools to keep the Orioles in check if he's on, but Camden Yards has a way of punishing any mistake left over the middle of the plate. Expect a tight game through the middle innings. Give the Cubs a narrow edge if Peterson can work into the fifth or sixth — Chicago's ability to manufacture runs against a crafty southpaw will ultimately be the deciding factor. Cubs 3, Orioles 2.
