Soriano Dominates as Angels Silence Cubs at Wrigley

The Los Angeles Angels came to Wrigley Field on Tuesday and did something the Chicago Cubs couldn’t manage: they pitched. José Soriano was absolutely brilliant, cruising through six innings with just two hits and four strikeouts while walking only two. This is what dominant pitching looks like in 2026, and the Cubs had no answer for it.

The Angels struck quickly in the sixth inning when Logan O'Hoppe lined a single to third that caromed off Alex Bregman’s glove, allowing Jorge Soler and Jeimer Candelario to race home. Two runs. That was all Soriano and the Angels would need on this Tuesday night. It’s a microcosm of modern baseball, really. In an era where every team swings for the fences, sometimes the most devastating blow is a well-placed single that finds grass.

What’s particularly galling for Cubs fans is how Phil Maton imploded in that sixth inning. The guy lasted just two-thirds of an inning, gave up two hits, two runs, and issued two walks. When your starting pitching is this shaky, you’re essentially asking your offense to bail you out every single night. The problem? The Angels’ offense didn’t need to do much because Soriano was in complete control.

Cubs’ Pitching Collapse Defines Ugly Loss

Here’s what really stings about this loss for Chicago: the setup was there. Jameson Taillon looked solid in the early going, striking out three batters in a scoreless start. Ben Brown also showed flashes of competence with a stellar appearance. But once Maton took the mound in the sixth, the wheels fell off completely. This is the kind of game that gets replayed in October if the Cubs miss the playoffs by a game or two.

Jordan Romano came in for the save and needed just 0.2 innings to seal it, striking out Michael Conforto to end the game. The Angels’ bullpen was surgical where the Cubs’ was hemorrhaging. That’s a championship-caliber difference, and it showed on the scoreboard.

Soriano Makes Statement in Angels Victory

Let’s give credit where it’s due: José Soriano put together one of those performances that reminds you why pitching-dominated teams win in October. Six innings, two hits, zero runs. He painted corners, he missed bats, and he kept the Cubs hitters completely off balance. When you can’t figure out a guy throwing heat and location, you’re going to get shut out. It’s that simple.

The Angels didn’t need a slugfest to win this game on Tuesday. They got a superb pitching performance from Soriano, timely hitting from O’Hoppe, and solid relief work to close it out. Meanwhile, the Cubs got bit by sloppy execution and bullpen volatility. In baseball, that’s usually a recipe for defeat, and that’s exactly what happened at Wrigley Field.

This game should serve as a wake-up call for Craig Counsell’s Cubs. You can’t afford to let opponents pitch this well without making them work. And you certainly can’t afford to have your relief pitchers gift wrap victories to visiting teams. The Angels showed up on Tuesday night, did their job, and left Chicago with a shutout victory. That’s baseball at its most unforgiving.