Cubs 1, Guardians 0: A 1968 throwback game

During the Marquee Sports Network broadcast of the Cubs’ 1-o win over the Guardian s in Game 1 of Sunday’s doubleheader, Jim Deshaies referred to it as the headline reads: “a throwback from 1968. ” That year was known as “The Year of The Pitcher,” with runs down all across MLB. The Cubs won four games by 1-0 that year, and lost six — and all six of the losses were started by Fergie Jenkins.

This game was much like things were back then, particularly the way the Cubs scored their only run of the game — a walk, a pinch-runner, a sacrifice bunt and another hit scoring said pinch-runner. This game was the Cubs’ first 1-0 win since Aug. 1, 2025 , when they defeated the Orioles by that score at Wrigley Field — in just one hour, 49 minutes!

This one was a bit longer (2:37) but still satisfying. Edward Cabrera didn’t allow any hits through five innings and just one overall in six, but he had trouble throwing strikes. That was his biggest issue when he was with the Marlins, and hopefully it won’t continue to be so as a Cub.

Today Cabrera threw 97 pitches, and only 51 were strikes. Nevertheless, he had the Guardians off balance enough to get through six scoreless innings. Here’s more on Cabrera’s outing [VIDEO].