# Cubs sweep Dodgers, MVP duel intensifies

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chicago-cubs-lineup-adjustments
> Updated: 2026-08-04T19:27:05.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 2.

Late‑July lineup adjustments and front‑office trade‑deadline discussions set the stage for Chicago’s clash with Los Angeles. On July 26, the Cubs shifted Gold‑Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson to the ninth spot in the batting order. Swanson, batting .216 with 16 homers and 60 RBIs, used the move to talk about the approaching deadline while the club weighed how much to invest in pitching. He remains under a seven‑year, $177 million contract that includes a full no‑trade clause.

A week later, on August 5, Chicago completed a 7–6, three‑game sweep of the Dodgers at Wrigley Field, keeping the Cubs atop the NL wild‑card standings. Pete Crow‑Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani each hit two homers and went 3‑for‑5; Crow‑Armstrong added four RBIs, while Ohtani’s two‑run shot narrowed the gap in the eighth inning. Shota Imanaga allowed one run over five innings (six strikeouts, no walks) and Jacob Webb closed with a perfect ninth for his sixth save. The loss gave the Dodgers their sixth straight defeat, the longest active losing streak since July 2025, and left‑hander Eric Lauer was charged with six runs in four innings. The result intensified the “toe‑to‑toe” NL MVP race between the two sluggers. Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 because of a lingering knee injury.

## Claims

- Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs and finished 3‑for‑5 in the same game. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The Chicago Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 on August 5, 2026, completing a series sweep. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The Dodgers suffered their sixth consecutive loss, the longest active losing streak in MLB. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Jacob Webb recorded his sixth save of the season by pitching a perfect ninth inning. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Chicago left‑hander Shota Imanaga allowed one run over five innings, striking out six and walking none. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The Chicago Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 on August 5, 2026. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Both Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani are considered front‑runners for the National League MVP award. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs and finished 3‑for‑5 in the game. (corroborated by 5 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Cubs beat Dodgers 7-6 as Crow-Armstrong, Ohtani spark NL MVP race

Cubs beat Dodgers 7‑6 on Aug 5, 2026; Crow‑Armstrong and Ohtani each hit two homers, sparking an NL MVP race, while the Dodgers fell to a six‑game losing streak.

26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chicago-cubs-tweak-lineup-for-dodgers-series

### 2026-07-26: Chicago Cubs Adjust Lineup, Spotlight on Shortstop Dansby Swanson

The Cubs moved Dansby Swanson to ninth in the lineup for the Pirates series finale and he discussed the trade‑deadline, with front office executives focusing on pitching upgrades.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chicago-cubs-adjust-lineup-spotlight-on-shortstop-dansby-swanson

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Cite as: Cubs sweep Dodgers, MVP duel intensifies. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chicago-cubs-lineup-adjustments