Let's Road Trip Cubs 2025: Trip #9 - From the Twin Cities to the Bronx

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The Cubs take one more road trip before taking an All-Star break. First, the North Siders tangle with the Twins at Target Field, and then they hop a 1,207-mile flight to Yankee Stadium. Will the Cubs limp into the break or go out roaring?

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Minnesota Twins - July 8-10
Target Field - Capacity 38,544
2024 Attendance: 1,951,616 (Averaged 24,094, ranked 10th in AL parks, and 23rd overall)

The Cubs last entered Target Field in May of 2023, dropping the series two games to one. After impressively winning the opener, they got destroyed 11-1 and 16-3 by the Twins.  Chicago has only taken four trips to Minneapolis since 2012, and thanks to a five-game winning streak from 2015 to 2023, the Cubs hold the advantage with a 6-5 record.

Since opening in 2010, Target Field has brought many exciting events to the downtown Minneapolis neighborhood. From concerts to playoff action, from the 2014 All-Star Game to the NHL Winter Classic to local college football games, Target Field offers the frozen citizens of the Twin Cities an outdoor space to enjoy their favorite sports. This stadium features elements of its home state, from the stonework to the new fishing pier-themed seating section called "The Dock." 

At the ballpark, fans are treated to beautiful scenes of the downtown skyline, a living batter's eye in the center, and plenty of concourse space to feast and mingle on a summer evening. The Timberwolves play just a skyway down the street; entertainment is everywhere in the neighborhood. The Mall of America is just a light rail away, with plenty of activities and an amusement park. Local museums and the Mississippi River offer intrepid travelers plenty of options to spend an afternoon before an evening game.

After this three-game series, the Cubs must enter the evil empire's lair to face the New York Yankees.

New York Yankees - July 11-13
Yankee Stadium - Capacity 46,537
2024 Attendance: 3,309,838 (Averaged 41,896, ranked 1st out of 15 AL parks, 2nd overall MLB)

In July of 2023, the Cubs came to Yankee Stadium, and the results were pretty positive. The Cubs took the opener and the finale for a two-game to one-series victory.  The Cubs first traveled to Yankee Stadium in 2014 but didn't return until 2022. In both of those series, the Cubs would have done just as well staying home because they got swept out of town both times. Chicago only scored one run in the first four games combined, before getting laughed out of town 18-4 to end the 2022 series. With a 2-6 record in their short Bronx history, the Cubs definitely have room for improvement.

What Yankee Stadium lacks in hospitality to opponents’ chances for success, it makes up for in baseball history and charisma. Monument Park shares the rich tradition of the pinstripes and is the place to be before the first pitch. Being present for the “roll call” tradition of the Yankees' outfield bleacher bums and knowing that millions of humans are within blocks of you offers a lot of excitement. The stadium feels surprisingly bland and non-distinct, but if the Yankees are playing well, it's tough to be an opposing fan. 

Yankee Stadium resides in the heart of the Bronx, so parking and any “quick” travel to destinations don’t happen. While in town, opposing fans can take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Big Apple. The Statue of Liberty takes most of a day to visit appropriately, and traveling the New Jersey coast to see Ellis Island also offers a fantastic view of downtown NYC. If you find yourself in Manhattan, Broadway, TV show scenery, and Central Park are must-sees. Finding affordable lodging and navigating the traffic are obstacles, but the public transit system is top-notch; the Cubs scatter to enjoy the All-Star break before returning home coach and can get fans anywhere they want. 

From here the Cubs scatter to enjoy the All-Star break, before returning home July 18 to face Boston and Kansas City. Can the Cubs finish the first half of the season strong? Or will the break be a time to analyze potential trade deals for a rebuild?

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