Game result and context
Chicago Cubs defeat Miami Marlins 6-1 in 2026 regular season matchup
The Chicago Cubs improved to 80-62 with a 6-1 win over the Miami Marlins, who fell to 71-71. Shota Imanaga earned the win, while Michael Busch provided late insurance with a solo home run.
Final result
The Chicago Cubs defeated the Miami Marlins with a final score of 6-1 on September 4, 2026. The Cubs moved their record to 80-62, while the Marlins dropped to 71-71.
How the game changed
The game remained tight through the early innings, with the Cubs holding a narrow 1-0 lead after two innings. The decisive turn occurred in the top of the sixth inning when the Cubs plated three runs to extend their lead to 4-0. The Marlins managed their only run of the game in the bottom of the seventh, but the Cubs responded with a run in the ninth, punctuated by a solo home run from Michael Busch, to finalize the 6-1 score.
Key performances
Shota Imanaga earned the win for the Cubs, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing one earned run while striking out four. Nico Hoerner contributed significantly to the offense, recording three hits and one RBI. Michael Busch added a solo home run in the ninth inning, finishing with two runs scored and one RBI. Pedro Ramírez also drove in two runs for Chicago. For the Marlins, Janson Junk took the loss, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing one earned run with four strikeouts. Aaron Civale provided relief for the Cubs, pitching 3.0 scoreless innings to earn his second save of the season.
Season and playoff context
With this victory, the Chicago Cubs hold a record of 80-62, placing them second in their division, 8.0 games back. They currently lead the wild-card standings with an elimination number of 13. The Miami Marlins sit at 71-71, ranking third in their division and 3.0 games back in the wild-card race, with an elimination number of 8.