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Cubs’ 7–0 Shutout Fuels Sign-Stealing Debate With MLB

8/26/2026

31 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Cubs Shutout

The Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-0 at Chase Field on Aug. 24, 2026.
Cubs right-hander Kevin Gausman threw seven shutout innings, using fastballs for 66% of pitches.
Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly accused third-base coach Quintin Berry of signaling the runner on second.
The loss left Arizona at 69-63, two games behind a wild-card spot with 30 games left.

Summary

Kelly Defends Sign-stealing

Merrill Kelly said MLB has no explicit rule banning coaches from signaling hitters.
Kelly called coach sign-stealing “a little bull-league” and part of baseball tradition.
Craig Counsell dismissed the dispute as routine gamesmanship common in the league.
Speculation arose that third-base player Berry could see Kelly’s glove for cues.
No MLB disciplinary action was announced, leaving the issue unresolved as wild-card races tighten.

History

Historical Context

The 2017 Astros sign-stealing scandal, exposed in November 2019, led MLB to impose a $5 million fine, strip 2020-21 draft picks and suspend GM Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch for the 2020 season. Those penalties tightened electronic-monitoring rules, which now frame the 2026 dispute involving Cubs pitcher Kevin Gausman, Diamondbacks coach Quintin Berry and pitcher Merrill Kelly over alleged sign-relay signals.

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Cubs Shutout

The Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-0 at Chase Field on Aug. 24, 2026.
Cubs right-hander Kevin Gausman threw seven shutout innings, using fastballs for 66% of pitches.
Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly accused third-base coach Quintin Berry of signaling the runner on second.
The loss left Arizona at 69-63, two games behind a wild-card spot with 30 games left.

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