Seattle Mariners Set to Be in Center of Historic Day at Wrigley Field For Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have apparently not welcomed Sosa back given his connection to the steroid-era in baseball, but Sosa apologized to the organization this past offseason, opening the door to a reunion.

One of the best sluggers in baseball history, Sosa spent 18 years in the majors with the Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. He was a seven-time All-Star, a six-time Silver Slugger, an MVP and a winner of the league's Roberto Clemente Award. He hit 609 career home runs and drove in 1,667, but his career is tainted by his connection to the steroid-era. He has never admitted to using steroids, however, but his use has been widely speculated upon.

His return should elicit quite a fan reaction and make an already-tough situation even harder for the Mariners.

Seattle enters play at 37-36 and 5.5 games back in the American League West, while the Cubs are one of the best teams in the league at 45-29.

The Mariners will send right-hander George Kirby to the mound against left-hander Matthew Boyd.

Kirby is 1-3 with a 5.96 ERA since returning from the injured list on May 22. Boyd, a Washington native who pitched for the Mariners in 2022, is now 6-3 with a 2.79.