Ian Happ's three-run home run in the sixth inning not only marked his first of the 2026 season but also tied him with Andre Dawson for the 14th most homers in Chicago Cubs history, showcasing his significant contribution to the franchise.
The Cubs won 73 of the 114 games they were the moneyline favorite last season, achieving a success rate of 64%. In contrast, the Angels won 18 of the 38 games they were the moneyline favorite, translating to a 47.4% success rate.
First baseman Michael Busch resumes his role as the leadoff batter against righties, followed by Alex Bregman at third base and Ian Happ in left. Pete Crow-Armstrong plays center and bats cleanup, then it's Nico Hoerner at second, Carson Kelly catching, and Moises Ballesteros behind the plate.
Forbes has the Cubs worth an even $5 billion, up 9% from last year. They are the 4th most valuable club in baseball, behind the Yankees ($8.5 billion), Dodgers ($7.8 billion), and Red Sox ($5.25 billion.
Major League Baseball is riding a wave of momentum with three years of attendance gains, soaring TV ratings, a crop of young stars and expanded global appeal. Values reflect that, take a look at the full MLB valuations here.
For fans of the Chicago Cubs, that means finding out the best way to get Marquee Sports Network, and the more ways to get it, the better. That includes a direct-to-consumer streaming option, but also carriage on other digital platforms.
We need to see him, I think is probably the best. He's on a flight back here. [We need to] get our hands on Seiya and see what's going on. I think it's just best we wait and see, and let our doctors and trainers take a look at him and see what's going on. You never want to see your players come out of a game.
Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki limped off the field during the first inning after getting caught stealing second base. Kevin Barral of Fish On First reported that Suzuki was removed due to discomfort in his right knee and that the team would continue to evaluate him. After the game, superstar Shohei Ohtani spoke to reporters and noted that Suzuki hadn't yet undergone imaging to determine the severity of the issue.
Boyd joined the Cubs last season, making the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. He had a 3.21 ERA and 3.4 fWAR, both the best marks he has ever posted. One of the most impressive aspects of his 2025 campaign was Boyd's health. He had struggled to stay on the field in past years, throwing just 201.5 innings between 2021 and 2024.
He wrote off on, 'Hey, we're gonna get you back this year' just by the way I'm rebounding on workouts and the way my arm looks and feels. My goal is hopefully be back even a little bit sooner than that (September), depending on how I feel, but I'm really optimistic about getting back this year and contributing.
Dr. Meister wrote off on, 'hey, we're gonna get you back this year' just by the way I'm rebounding on workouts and the way my arm looks and feels. My goal is hopefully be back even a little bit sooner than that (September), depending on how I feel, but I'm really optimistic about getting back this year and contributing.
At the top of the list, you don't find too many surprises, with Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Tarik Skubal, Juan Soto, and Paul Skenes rounding out the first six spots. I think you are just objectively wrong if those aren't your top six in some order.
The Cubs first picked Cowles up from the Yankees as part of the return for Mark Leiter Jr. at the 2024 trade deadline. Cowles was DFA'd and claimed by the White last September, then the process flipped in January. The 26-year-old infielder has yet to appear in a big league game and has slashed just .235/.299/.368 over around a season's worth of plate appearances at Triple-A.
Austin, 34, has spent the past six seasons with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He originally signed in NPB after spending parts of four big league seasons with the Yankees, Twins, Giants and Brewers, during which he posted a .219/.292/.451 slash with 33 homers in 583 turns at the plate.
Chicago began the game by running into a triple play in the opening frame after a bloop single by Seiya Suzuki with men on first and second. Suzuki was thrown out at second base trying for an extra base after Alex Bregman got an excellent jump to go from first to third. Matt Shaw did not get a good read and froze between second and third, resulting in both players standing on third and Bregman being called out.
