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The last road trip of the year leaves no margin for error or exhaustion. The Cubs travel east to take on their divisional rivals the Pirates and Reds. We don’t know who in this group will still be in the hunt, but somebody will be! It’s time for the playoff push, Cubs fans. Image courtesy of Michael Elizondo / TrueBlueLA Pittsburgh Pirates – September 15-17 PNC Park - Capacity 38,747 2024 Attendance: 1,720,361 (Averaged 21,239 - ranked 14th out of 15 NL teams, 25th overall MLB) When the Cubs invade Pittsburgh in April, they will be still formulating their rotation and lineup and will be trying to figure out where their season will take them. By mid-September, Chicago better know who they are and be ready to finish strong. These games count more, even though they technically don’t in the standings. You can see our full write-up on PNC Park in Road Trip #4. Win, lose, or draw, its off to Cincinnati for a four-game series against the Reds in the last road series of the season. Cincinnati Reds – September 18-21 Great American Ballpark - Capacity 43,500 2024 Attendance: 2,024,178 (Averaged 24,989 - ranked 12th out of 15 NL teams, 21st overall MLB) The Cubs make their second trip of the year to Cincinnati and they are there for four full days that might determine the division crown. When they travel there in May, its on the tail end of a return trip from Miami. This time, the travel is lighter but the stakes are higher. You can see our full write-up on Great American Ballpark in Road Trip #6. There you have it Cubs fans, after 43,155 miles of road trips the Cubs finally return home for the final two series of the season against the Mets and Cardinals. When the season ends on September 28th, where do you think all of these games and trips and memories will leave the Cubs? With more games to play, or left wondering what might have been? Only time will tell, but I hope you get a chance to experience the story somewhere in person in 2025. View full article

In early September, the Cubs face the Braves six times in 10 days. This time, Chicago has to make the long journey to Truist Park in what could be the hottest and muggiest games of the season. Will the trip be worth it? Let’s discuss. Image courtesy of Truist Park (@TruistPark) on X/Twitter Atlanta Braves – April 18-20 Truist Park - Capacity 41,084 2024 Attendance: 3,011,765 (Averaged 37,647 - ranked 4th out of 15 NL teams, 5th overall MLB) When the Cubs traveled to Atlanta in May 2024, they both entered the series with winning records. Atlanta shut out the Cubs in the first two games, before Chicago erupted for seven runs to take the finale. Things started off promising when the Cubs made their first ever road trip to Truist Park in 2017, as they came away with a three-game sweep and went on to win two of three in 2018 as well. Since then, the journey has not been good to the Cubbies. Chicago has only won three times in Atlanta since 2019, and they have lost 13 games. Overall, the record shows Cubs 8, Braves 14, but the vibe of late is much more sour. Baseball arrived in Atlanta from Milwaukee in 1966, but the national audience for the Braves arrived with TBS. Even a kid in the middle-of-nowhere South Dakota could watch the Braves, and this made their runs in the 1990's must-see TV. The Atlanta Fulton County Stadium we watched in 1991 made way for Turner Field (aka. Olympic Stadium) in 1997. The Braves' most recent move in 2017 took them to the suburbs, to mixed reviews. On the one hand, the Braves got a chance to build a baseball community center with neighborhood revenue-gathering machines. On the other hand, folks now need cars and cash to get to the games. Truist Park resides in a mixed-use entertainment district called “The Battery.” Designed to curate the entire baseball consumer’s experience, it's arguably the wave of the future (see also: Globe Life Field in Texas). The park is clean and modern in stadium style, with Hank Aaron tributes and historic moment monuments scattered throughout. “The Freeze” race between innings also looks intriguing. Atlanta boasts the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, MLK Jr. National Historical Park, and the Center for Puppetry Arts. I would steer clear of the puppets, but to each their own. The airport serves as a major hub, so travel to and from Atlanta shouldn't be hard, but travel to and from the ballpark will probably require renting a car or a large amount of Uber money. After this one-stop trip, the Cubs return home for another one-series event to face the AL East’s Tampa Bay Rays. The games are running out, and everything is magnified. How will the Cubs endure this short but vicious road trip? View full article

The Cubs get a reprieve from the dog days of summer with a nine-game road trip to more temperate climates. On this 4733 mile journey to face the Angels, Giants, and Rockies, Chicago will have to pack their bags and their endurance so that these winnable games don’t get left behind. Image courtesy of Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Los Angeles Angels - August 22-24 Angel Stadium: Capacity 45,517 2024 Attendance: 2,577,597 (Averaged 31,822, sixth in AL, 13th overall) When the Cubs entered Angel Stadium in June 2023, a healthy Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout , and Anthony Rendon were there to welcome them rudely with a three-game sweep. The Cubs have split the overall road trips to Anaheim at five games apiece, but its usually a feast or famine experience with the last two encounters being sweeps in both directions. With only ten games to show for 20 years of baseball, its too early to declare what's "normal" for Cubs fans to expect at Angels Stadium, except sunshine. That you can count on. To say that Angel Stadium exists because Disney exists isn’t an overstatement. The birth of Disneyland in 1955 led to the pursuit of community development in the Anaheim area. In 1966, that pursuit involved building a baseball stadium, then known as Anaheim Stadium. The 1980s brought a change in architecture as the NFL's Rams filled in the outfield seating area to increase capacity. 1998 brought a return to the open-concept outfield, as the Disney corporation placed its imprint upon the setting and installed the “Outfield Extravaganza” rock pile in left-center field. Trout hits baseballs there for a living. Ohtani used to embody a modern version of Babe Ruth there daily as well, until he split across town and won a World Series. Attendance remains high in Anaheim despite the loss of Ohtani and the general losing ways of the club. Angel Stadium seats less than Dodger Stadium, but I wonder what might happen if the Angels could get on a roll again. Beautiful August weather, summer on the beach, and sun for miles highlight this trip. Having a car is the name of the game when traveling to Angel Stadium. There is a bus option from downtown L.A., but that doesn’t scream “relaxing road trip” to me. Also, with Disneyland right around the corner, there is no shortage of affordable hotel options in Anaheim. At only 2.5 miles southeast of Disneyland, one has to go, right? There is an off-day to see the sights on the 25th, but then its off to the Bay Area to face the pesky Giants. San Francisco Giants – August 26-28 Oracle Park: Capacity 41,265 2024 Attendance: 2,647,736 (Averaged 33,096, 7th out of 15 NL parks, and 10th overall MLB) In late-June 2024, the Cubs barely avoided a four-game sweep in San Francisco by pulling out a 10-inning victory on an Ian Happ homer. Most trips to the Bay Area to play the Giants have been the same: beautiful atmosphere and rough Cubs play. The Cubs have gone 36-47 at Oracle Park overall, with series wins in 2023 and 2013 being the only outliers in the last decade and change. Baseball and San Francisco have a long history, but the most recent iteration dates back to 1957, when the New York Giants joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in heading west for new and greener financial grasses. The Dodgers and Giants have kept the rivalry ridiculously strong, and both have seen great success in recent decades. In 1989 the Giants were getting ready to host the Athletics at Candlestick park for Game 3 of the World Series, when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck and tragically shook up the series. Barry Bonds infamously broke records into the bay in the 2000’s, and championships finally arrived in the 2010’s, with three titles in five seasons. Oracle Park opened in 2000, and people have been raving about it ever since. Whether it’s the temperate and pleasant weather, the majestic views of the San Francisco bay and McCovey Cove and its baseball-hunting kayakers, or the food and beverage options that are second to none, Oracle Park is a must see destination. Baseball travelers will find the wharf and its many attractions and seafood restaurants to be a fun excursion, while the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz prison never disappoint either. From San Francisco the Cubs head to the Rockies to face, well… the Rockies. 1235 miles to Denver we go! Colorado Rockies - August 29-31 Coors Field - Capacity 46,897 2024 Attendance: 2,540,295 (Averaged 31,361, ranked 8th out of 15 NL parks, 15th overall MLB) The Cubs' journey to the Rockies' lair in September 2024 served to pump the breaks on playoff aspirations, with the Cubs dropping the first two of the series before salvaging the finale. They shouldn't have been surprised, since they've gone 46-59 at Coors Field since it started being a stop on the schedule in 1995. The Cubs haven't left Denver with a series win since 2018, when Javier Baez and Jason Heyward were crushing the humidity out of the ball. Say what you will about Rockies baseball, but the fans continue to know how to pack a stadium. It seems like just yesterday, but Coors Field has been fueling baseball physics controversy since 1995. After two seasons at the now-imploded Mile High Stadium, the Rockies moved into their “new” home at over 5,000 feet above sea level. Coors Field led the league again in “runs park factor,” and it wasn’t even close. Baseballs fly there, humidors and big dimensions be darned. Quirks of the stadium include seats in center field called the “Rockpile,” an in-park brewery, a purple row of seats in the 300 level which marks the Mile High point, and a mixed-use development district around the ballpark. The National Ballpark Museum is across the street and exists as a “must-stop” for anyone on a baseball tour de force. The Denver Art Museum, Rocky Mountain parks and trails, and the Denver Zoo all can provide some entertainment between games. Colorado isn’t expected to be a nuisance to many this season, but they have shown consistent resilience at home, and late season games can involve soaring home runs and a Rockies team that has nothing to lose. After this extensive road trip, the Cubs return home to welcome the Braves and Nationals to kick off September. How will the Cubs fare on this trip, knowing what lurks ahead at home? View full article

When the Cubs make their final trip to St. Louis and their only trip to Toronto in August, the playoff picture should be coming into focus. Will any of these teams still be visible? Or will the season have already passed them by? Image courtesy of CNW Group/Toronto Blue Jays St. Louis Cardinals - August 8-10 Busch Stadium - Capacity 44,383 2024 Attendance: 2,869,783 (Averaged 35,872, ranked 6th out of 15 NL parks, 7th overall MLB) The Cubs don't have any cool trips to St. Louis this season, only steamy ones. Busch Stadium should be rocking for this classic matchup of bitter rivals, but will either team still be in contention by mid-August? The trip down to St. Louis is always worth it, regardless of the situation in the standings. But here's to hoping that these games actually matter when the Cubs invade the arch. You can see a full write-up of Busch Stadium and its surrounding attractions here. Win, lose, or evaporate, it's time to grab the passports for trip to Canada! Toronto Blue Jays - August 12-14 Rogers Centre – Capacity 39,150 2024 attendance: 2,681,236 (Averaged 33,101, ranked 3rd out of 15 AL parks, 9th overall MLB) The Cubs journeyed north of the border to Toronto in August 2023, and they left with two victories and one defeat. The good news is the Cubs' passports should all be prepared and ready from their earlier trip to Tokyo. The bad news: they often receive a rude welcome in Canada. The Cubs have only won six games and lost nine in their interleague travels to Toronto since 2003. When Toronto got their MLB franchise in 1977, they started out in a retro-fitted football field called Exhibition Stadium. It was 1989 that brought the SkyDome (renamed Rogers Centre in 2005), soon to gain classic replay status for Joe Carter’s World Series winner and back-to-back championships. In the 2010’s, the Blue Jays even boasted the highest attendance in the American League! The SkyDome/Rogers Centre boasts about being the first stadium in the world with a fully retractable motorized roof, hosts a hotel with rooms that look out onto the field, and rests within the Old Downtown neighborhood of the fourth-largest city in North America. The field itself? A bit cookie-cutter in form, with excellent food and tourist vibes throughout the concourses. The sounds, tastes, and sights of Toronto are pretty epic from what I can tell. The CN Tower observation deck, Lake Ontario beaches and waterfront, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and an actual “distillery district” all exist within a few blocks of the ballpark. If you don't have your passport yet, now's the time to get your paperwork rolling if you want to catch this edition of the team's biannual trip to Toronto. From here, the Cubs travel back home for seven games against NL Central foes from Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. No time to rest, and no off-days either. Will the Cubs have what it takes to stay in the fight during these dog days of summer travel? View full article

At the end of July, the Cubs embark on what might be the shortest two-city road trip in the history of MLB. First, the Cubs go 10 miles south to take on the White Sox, before traveling 95 miles north to face the rival Brewers. It's six games in the heat of summer against our closest enemies, what could possibly go wrong? Image courtesy of Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Chicago White Sox - July 25-27 Rate Field - Capacity 40,615 2024 Attendance - 1,976,344 (ranked 8th out of 15 AL teams, 19th overall MLB) The cross-town battle in August 2024 saw the Cubs take two from the floundering White Sox on the South Side. Both games were decided by two runs or less, but the results remained positive for the Cubs. Overall the Cubs have played the White Sox to a draw on the South Side. With the Cubs winning 37 and losing 36, 2025's edition of the "shortest road trip in baseball" will determine if the Cubs can gain an advantage in the overall series or if the Sox can wrestle back home field advantage. The artist formerly known as New Comiskey Park, The “Cell,” and Guaranteed Rate has been around since 1991, but South Side Chicago baseball has been cooking since 1910. While the new stadium resides in a residential area, it carries a “big” stadium vibe compared to its North Side counterpart. Sharing an owner allows you to also buy Bulls gear at the ballpark, a plus for Chicago fans. The upper deck leans into the “upper” definition, while the bleachers get hot, especially in July. In the 2000s, a person could shower on the outfield walkway. I’m not sure who thought that was a great idea, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t try it out one blistering August afternoon. Lake Michigan, Soldier Field and the Museum campus, Sears tower, and the Magnificent Mile. The smell of the L-Train platforms wandering in the Lake Shore breeze. Chicago natives might be used to these sights, but they never disappoint. Getting to Rate Field involves most likely car and parking for me, and sneaking to the South Side before rush hour is a “mandatory” event. After hopefully conquering their cross-town rivals, the Cubs return to Milwaukee to do some more in-division damage. Milwaukee Brewers – July 28-30 American Family Field - Capacity 41,900 2024 Attendance: 2,537,202 (Averaged 21,328 - ranked 9th out of 15 NL teams, 16th overall MLB) When the Cubs travel to Milwaukee in early May, they might encounter beautiful days and chilly nights. On this trip, though, the Cubs are most likely to face sweltering and muggy conditions. In this climate, American Family Field turns into a jet stream sauna, and fans will need to hydrate. If you are looking for a two-city road trip that allows you to stay in your own bed at night, this is your chance. Just make sure your air conditioner is working. You can see a full write-up of American Family Field and its surrounding attractions here. What do you think Cubs fans, will this be a feast or famine with regards to the home-cooking? View full article

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? Image courtesy of Image courtesy of © Brad Rempel-Imagn Images 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? View full article

The Cubs finish the month of June with their first trip to St. Louis and a journey to Houston. What awaits the club as they travel up and down the central time zone? Image courtesy of © Jeff Curry-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals - June 23-26 Busch Stadium - Capacity 44,383 2024 Attendance: 2,869,783 (Averaged 35,872, ranked 6th out of 15 NL parks, 7th overall) In 2024, the Cardinals and Cubs ended with the same record, but on the road at Busch Stadium, the home team stayed supreme, with the Cubs dropping four of the six contests. In general, Cubs fans shouldn't get their hopes up when their team travels to division rival St. Louis. In the nearly two decades since the latest iteration of Busch Stadium opened, the Cubs have only managed 66 victories while losing 89 games. If you wanted to look up a definition of "hostile environment," this road trip has proven so, at least where the divisional standings are concerned. Every year since 2017, there has been a defeat except for the 2023 season, which saw two of the road games taking place in London and the Cubs earning four victories and only losing two. St. Louis’s baseball history can be traced back to 1882. Eleven World Series trophies later, the Cardinals remain elite among fan bases and maintain baseball cultural icon status. The current Busch Stadium is the third iteration, providing a scenic view of the downtown skyline and this noble heritage. Built in 2006, it sports a Ballpark Village neighborhood attraction and its own Hall of Fame Museum. Brewery tours, trips up to the top of the Arch, BBQ and BBQ and more BBQ, and time spent feasting on baseball in the heartland. What could be better? The majestic views past the outfield concourse give the stadium its style points. The red seats and Clydesdales provide the ambiance, and the fans provide the support. The Cardinals have benefited from being the only game in town for a region that stretches from Oklahoma to Alabama, Indiana to Colorado. Their radio signal strength established a fan base, and their open wallet and excellent farm system have set them up to be contenders most seasons, so the last two seasons' strife is regarded as an anomaly, and their fan base is hungry for redemption. The Cubs are equally hungry to keep them in their place. Next up, all aboard for Houston and Minute Maid Park! Houston Astros - June 27-29 Minute Maid Park - Capacity 41,168 2024 Attendance: 2,835,234 (Averaged 35,002, ranked 2nd of 15 AL teams and 8th overall) In 2023, the Cubs traveled to Houston in May and came home empty, getting swept in a three-game series while coughing up 20 runs. The Cubs have gone 58-56 in Houston since Enron Field opened in 2000, serving as a neutral site since the Astros were still battling in the National League. The story of Houston baseball runs through the sporting world’s first fully enclosed and air-conditioned stadium, the Astrodome, which changed the game and almost all other games around the world. The Astrodome gave us the first synthetic turf playing surface (hence why we call all the new stuff Astroturf, even if it isn’t!), the ability to play ball in any type of weather or geography, and the introduction of year-round civic and sports arenas within a city. Minute Maid Park carries history, scandal, success, and futility in one beautifully crafted, retro-fitted setting. The current ballpark was constructed around a former Union Station railway concourse and harkens to the culture and community that it serves. Oil, agriculture, trains, Bar-B-Q, Mexican food, boom/bust economics, and espionage/waste disposal (couldn’t resist). The retractable roof might come into play in May, with an opportunity for outdoor baseball early and late in the season. This element allows for a natural grass playing surface. Originally named Enron Field in 2000, my kids’ third favorite orange juice stepped up to the plate for naming rights once Enron imploded. Hopefully, the Minute Maid Train will fail to leave the station due to a lack of Astros homers, but recent history would argue to bet the “over.” Minute Maid Park used to feature the legendary and questionable "Tal’s Hill” in centerfield. The berm & flagpole served for quite a few highlights and lowlights for fielders, stretching the dimensions to 436ft. The hill left the building after the 2016 season, replaced by a restaurant, standing-room seating, and a lower medical liability deductible. The dimensions also came in with it to a reasonable 406ft. Interestingly, berms or mounds in the field of play used to be a way to give a better view to standing room overflow fans ON THE FIELD!!! Can you imagine? Showing up to a game, discovering it was sold out, but being told to “Worry not! Centerfield has some room for you!” It sounds like an alternate reality. Check out the Space Center in Houston and enjoy some beach and fishing time out in the Gulf of Mexico. Or if the weather's too warm and muggy for your liking, just get excited to watch high-quality baseball in a crazy cool stadium alongside a fan base that has doubled down on their team. From Houston, the Cubs travel home to face the Guardians for the first time this season, and there will be a re-match with the Cardinals. There's no time to rest just yet because June is ending with a flourish. View full article

From June 3-11, the Cubs will be playing ball in the Eastern Time Zone, as they journey from Washington D.C. to Detroit to Philadelphia. What awaits the Cubs and their fans as they journey into the summertime? Image courtesy of Detroit Sports Commission Washington Nationals - June 3-5 Nationals Park - Capacity 41,339 2024 Attendance: 1,967,302 (Averaged 24,287, ranked 13th out of NL parks and 22nd overall) The Cubs swept their way into and out of the nation's capital in late-August of 2024, winning two close games before clubbing 14 runs to victory in the finale. Overall the Cubs are 29-25 on their road trips to Nationals Park, with Washington, D.C. serving as another home away from Wrigley for Chicago. A closer look at the history reveals a streaky nature, with sweeps skewing the stats during the leaner years. The Nationals hold the normal home field advantage in the majority of seasons. In general, D.C. has been a place where the Cubs can make a move up the standings while on the road, and hopefully that theme continues into 2025. In 2004, the Montreal Expos’ story ended, and the Washington Nationals’ story began. After Major League Baseball took over the Expos, they brokered the move for baseball to return to Washington, D.C., after the town birthed and lost the Senators… twice. The Twins and Rangers can thank the city for their franchises, but the Nationals haven’t had much to be thankful for since 2019 saw them rise to the pinnacle and bring home the World Series trophy. The days of Bryce Harper, Steven Strasburg and Juan Soto are long gone. 2025 sees the beginning of the Amed Rosario era! Most towns on the MLB circuit can provide a weekend of sights and sounds, but Washington, D.C. could easily take a week or more of a tourist’s time. May is a beautiful time to visit the city’s national monuments and museums, political landmarks, and coastal sights. After the team languished at RFK Stadium for its first four years, Nationals Park opened in 2008 with much fanfare and little flair. There isn’t a distinguishing component of the stadium, but it serves as a great venue to watch baseball along the Anacostia River. With its walkable open-air outfield concourse and its clean lines, Nationals Park focuses the attention on the actual game. With a drop in play and in attendance in recent seasons, will the Nationals need to re-think this strategy to attract fans? Or will this stadium continue to be a road teams’ haven? The Nationals have had a losing record at home since that 2019 championship run, and opposing fans hope that momentum continues! Regardless of how warmly or rudely the Cubs are welcomed in and out of the capital, they need to rally up as they head west to face the upstart Tigers. Detroit Tigers - June 6-8 Comerica Park - Capacity 41,083 2024 Attendance: 1,858,295 (Averaged 23,824, ranked 11th out of AL parks, 24th overall MLB) Chicago last visited the Tigers at Comerica Park in August 2023, and they came away with a two games-to-one series victory. Since the cross-divisional road trip began in 2001, the Cubs and Tigers have played to a virtual tie at Comerica Park, with the Cubs winning nine games and the Tigers winning ten. Something has to give when the Cubs return to town this June. When Comerica Park opened, it attempted to replace a jewel box ballpark icon in Tiger Stadium. How did they do it? Well, for starters, they built a bunch of giant Tiger statues. Then, they made the dimensions of the outfield astronomical in nature. The walls were so far back that they realized they messed up and brought them back in starting in 2003. Players’ stats continue to take a hit from the dimensions, and the walls were brought in yet again prior to the 2023 season. Located just a few blocks from the Detroit River/Canadian Border, Comerica Park sits in the downtown district, with plenty of entertainment and eatery options. There is thew Motown Museum, the Corner Ballpark (a recreation of Tiger Stadium), the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Henry Ford Museum just down the road. In-stadium attractions for traveling fans include a carousel, Ferris Wheel, and the Tigers Hall of Fame. After wrapping up in Detroit, the team's nine games in nine days on the road concludes with a trip back east to Philadelphia to face the pesky Phillies. Philadelphia Phillies - June 9-11 Citizens Bank Park - Capacity 42,901 2024 Attendance: 3,363,712 (Averaged 41,527, 2nd out of 15 AL parks and 3rd overall) The Cubs' trip to Philadelphia in late-September 2024 proved that they were not up for a playoff run. The same inconsistency that plagued their first five months of the season continued on in a one-game-to-two series loss. In 62 games at Citizens Bank Park, the Cubs have gone 26-36, making this an annual trip for surviving rather than thriving. There has never been a series sweep either direction in those games, but the overall message is that coming out of Philadelphia better off than when you entered is a rare occurrence. I was surprised to discover that the Phillies have lost more games than any other American sports franchise. I only seem to remember the captivating squads of the 90’s and the World Series attending teams of recent history. However, the giant former home of the Phillies, Veterans Stadium, often saw nothing but epic disappointment. At 67,000, Veterans Stadium had the capacity for greatness, and the vibe of concrete sterility. In 2004, the team began a new chapter with the more intimate and contemporary Citizens Bank Park. The seating at Citizens Bank is described as “sitting over the field,” and the unique wind tunnel alleyways and small left- and right-field corners set the stage for plenty of home runs and excitement. Opposing fans can get up close and personal with the visitor’s bullpen in left-center field, or just hang out and listen to the Phillies fans give them grief. Of all of the stadiums that I researched, this one seems to be the least hospitable to away team jerseys and presence in general. Attenders beware! The ballpark also seems to be set up for prime standing room only options, and its main food vendors exist in the open outfield concourse. There’s a kid’s wiffle-ball field in right-field, and a Wall of Fame in left. And, of course, keep your head on a swivel unless you want to get accosted by the Phillie Phanatic. Philadelphia itself oozes history and tourist destinations. The start of American democracy and government, the pursuit of freedom and liberty, and the origins of the great cheesesteak all find their home here. You can pretend you are Rocky as you run the steps of the Museum of Art, or just sit there and watch other people exhaust themselves trying. After this grueling road trip, the Cubs return home for a three-team, ten-game homestand against Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, and Seattle. Anyone heading to these road games? Have you ever been to these ballparks? Any tips? View full article

The end of May takes the Cubs and their fans on a 2813 mile journey to the tip of Florida and back again. It's the pit stop in Cincinnati that will be the most important, but the Cubs better not get hooked in Miami before that can happen. Here's what awaits on the fourth-longest trip of 2025. Image courtesy of © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Miami Marlins - May 19-21 loanDepot Park - Capacity 37,442 2024 Attendance: 1,087,453 (Averaged 13,425 - ranked 15th out of 15 NL teams, 29th overall MLB) The Cubs took two out of three down in South Beach in August of 2024. In the 40 games that the Cubs have played in Miami since 2012, the Cubs have won 18 and lost 22. The neutral site aspect of Miami's struggle with attendance means that loanDepot Field looks more like Wrigley with the away fans outnumbering the home crowd. The stadium's first season of use was in 2012 (Marlins Park), and it was renamed loanDepot Park in 2021. It has a retractable roof so the games are guaranteed to occur, which is a must for anyone making that long of a trip to catch a ballgame! The in-stadium nightclub may have closed, and the neighborhood around LoanDepot looks more like a residential zone, but the ballpark itself is beautiful outside and inside. The best part? A visiting fan can usually get 30-dollar prime area seating. I mean, it's all for sale...and no one's buying. Cubs fans rejoice, but the stadium employees and Marlins players aren't too impressed. The World Basic Classic proved that both the stadium and the community can get excited when the product on the field is competitive, but Marlins ownership isn't too keen on that being the goal. This "communidad 305" thing looks interesting. BYOInstruments? Soccer atmosphere? The fun probably can still occur if your team has a strong representation in the stands. Their bobblehead museum contains 400 of the old owner Jeffrey Loria's collection, but its almost hidden behind a back outfield stairwell, so you might have to explore to find it. LoanDepot Park sits in the southern part of the city, just west of Biscayne Bay. If the roof is open, sightlines from the back of the first-base line is the place to be. If closed...go party and play instruments I guess! At 85 degrees and sunny, its hard to complain. Enjoy it, but don't get too used to it Cubbies...pack a light jacket and head back North to Cincinnati to take on the young NL Central upstarts. Cincinnati Reds – May 23-25 Great American Ballpark - Capacity 43,500 2024 Attendance: 2,024,178 (Averaged 24,989 - ranked 12th out of 15 NL teams, 21st overall MLB) Chicago's trips to the Great American Ballpark in 2024 proved to be a Great American Disappointment. The Cubs went 2-5 against their upstart divisional rivals. In general, the Cubs' road trips to Cincinnati have not been beneficial to their seasonal standings. They have only won 85 and lost 97 on this particular journey since 2003. The last season series win for the Cubs on the road at the Great American Ballpark came in 2020, without fans to root against them. Home to baseball’s oldest franchise (going strong since 1882!), Great American Ball Park celebrates its 20th year of hosting the Reds in 2023. With a list of legendary players behind it, the team boasts a history of success, and has a Hall of Fame of its own to prove it. Like many teams, however, that history seems to stop in the 90’s. Built on the shores of the Ohio River, Great American Ball Park offers contemporary fans a baseball specific venue with waterfront views and quirky vibes. The higher up you sit, the better the view of both game and area. With wide concourses, and five levels of seating, finding a place to enjoy the game shouldn’t be an issue. When in town, cultural highlights include the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Art Museum. Findlay Market’s beer gardens open on gameday, and riverboat cruises offer a unique way to spend the time between games. Following this week-long road trip the Cubs return home for two series against the Colorado Rockies and these same Cincinnati Reds. Will the Cubs come home on a roll? Or will they be looking for revenge after a disappointing road trip? View full article

In mid-May the Chicago Cubs head east to take on Juan Soto and the New York Mets. Will it be an Amazin' trip? Or will the big pockets Mets show the Cubs what spending can do? Image courtesy of © Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images New York Mets – May 9-11 Citi Field: Capacity 41,922 2024 Attendance: 2,329,299 (Averaged 29,484, 10th in the NL and 17th overall MLB) The Cubs split a four-game series at Citi Field in April of 2024. The games were all decided by two or fewer runs except for the eleven-inning finale; they all were low-scoring affairs. Citi Field has been a home away from home for the Cubbies since it opened in 2009, with the Cubs going 28-23 over that span of road trips. This includes four sweeps in the past decade, with the Cubs not losing at Citi Field from May 2018 until August 2019! In 1962, the New York Mets launched their franchise, hoping to fill the void left when the Giants headed to San Francisco. 1969 brought a World Series title for the Miracle Mets, and they again reached the pinnacle of the sport in 1986. Other than a brief glimpse of success, ultimately falling to the Royals in 2015, the Mets have been more of a joke than a dynasty. Steve Cohen’s purchase of the team in 2020 led fans to a false hope of big spending equaling big success. The spending happened, and nothing but dysfunction ensued until 2024. There is hope in Mets-ville, but will it get fulfilled? Mid-May temperatures should be pleasant, and many of the same tourist attractions that one would see at a Yankees game work for Mets trips. Times Square and Central Park are just a river away, and Queens and Brooklyn offer numerous cultural activities. Located just outside LaGuardia airport, Cubs travelers can fly in and find easy rideshares to the stadium or lodging. Citi Field replaced Shea Stadium in 2009, and its open concourses, intimate seating, and sightlines offer a better overall fan experience than Yankee Stadium. The atmosphere is still uniquely “New York,” from its giant apple to its Jackie Robinson rotunda; fans experience baseball at its finest…win or lose. From here, the Cubs return home for must-win games against the Marlins and White Sox. Can the Cubs enter those series with some momentum, or will they still be reeling from a Big Apple beatdown? View full article

As April turns to May, the Cubs take a road trip into their divisional rivals' stopping grounds. What awaits the Cubs and their fans on their first trips to Pittsburgh and Milwaukee in 2025? Image courtesy of © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Pittsburgh Pirates – April 29-May 1 PNC Park - Capacity 38,747 2024 Attendance: 1,720,361 (Averaged 21,239 - ranked 14th out of 15 NL teams, 25th overall MLB) Chicago swept their way into and out of Pittsburgh in August of 2024 after claiming two of three at PNC Park in May for a 5-1 mark overall. The Cubs have trekked to Pittsburgh's PNC Park for 203 games since it opened in 2001. and they've won more often than they've lost, going 112-91 against their NL Central rivals. This includes going 22-10 near the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers' convergence since Covid allowed fans back in the ballpark. The 2024 Pirates squad stayed in the mix for most of the season but faltered down the stretch. With stud pitching prospect Paul Skenes making his MLB debut, the 2025 squad seeks to transition from overperforming youth to tested veterans. The infield duo of Ke’Bryan Hayes and Oneil Cruz looks to take the next step, and Pirates fans began to show their appreciation for a team on the rise. PNC Park consistently makes the Top 10 lists for its scenic beauty and baseball viewing sightlines. When it opened in 2001, its city-centered orientation and river views awed baseball fans (while the product on the field left something to be desired). Now that the team has a squad to match the view, attendance should continue to climb. Visiting fans will find hospitable hosts, but Twins fans shouldn’t expect too much success at the end of such a grueling road trip. Hopefully, a few “raised Jolly Rogers” won’t pirate the Cubs’ playoff hopes for the season. Pittsburgh has plenty to offer a baseball tourist, from its downtown atmosphere of food and entertainment to the Andy Warhol and Roberto Clemente Museums. It might be on the chilly side in early Spring, but it is the perfect time of year to walk about the city and take in the unique landscape. The Cubs journey back across the Great Lakes to a battle in Wisconsin. Milwaukee Brewers – May 2-4 American Family Field - Capacity 41,900 2024 Attendance: 2,537,202 (Averaged 21,328 - ranked 9th out of 15 NL teams, 16th overall MLB) The Cubs lost the NL Central by 10 games to the rival Brewers in 2024, and five of those games were conceded on the road at American Family Park. Chicago went 2-5 in their cross-border battles in Milwaukee. Overall, the Cubs have held their own in the I-94 rivalry, winning 97 games and losing 106 in Milwaukee since the "new" stadium opened in 2001. Recent history hasn't been so kind, with the Cubs losing every road series for the year since 2017, except for the two-game sweep they achieved in the fan-less 2020 season. With Brewers fans in the seats, it's been eight years since Chicago gained ground on Milwaukee in the standings in the enemy's lair. American Family Field began as Miller Park in 2001. 2020 brought new cash inflow and a new name. This retractable-roof complex looks like a combination of an airplane hangar, a Metrodome, and an advertisement convention. And yet, when the Brewers got it going on, the place also brings out an energy that can deliver electric baseball. The Brewers isn’t just a fun name; it’s a destination reality. Local and global-level breweries make this city a beer connoisseur's playground. The Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, and Lake Michigan coastline provide alternative travel stops for a variety of tastes. Once inside the ballpark, the immortal “sausage race” has gone digital, but the spirit remains. Bud Selig and Bob Uecker have statues and museums, and this season will carry a special meaning after Uecker's passing. Following this week-long road trip, the Cubs return home for a three-game series against San Francisco. It's a whirlwind trip where games count double. How far up the standings will the Cubs be sitting by the time San Fran comes to town? Or will the Pirates and Brewers take advantage of these early home opportunities? View full article

In the middle of April, the Cubs head west to face the defending champion Dodgers and the pesky Padres. Besides sunshine and ocean waves, can Cubs fans expect anything positive on this cross-country adventure? Image courtesy of © David Frerker-Imagn Images Los Angeles Dodgers – April 11-13 Dodger Stadium: Capacity 56,000 2024 Attendance: 3,941,251 (Averaged 48,657, ranked 1st in NL and 1st overall MLB) This is technically the second road trip against the Dodgers in 2025, but with the first taking place in Tokyo, this is the first and only chance for Cubs fans to experience the confines of Dodgers Stadium. The Cubs took two out of three at Dodger Stadium in 2024, missing out on a sweep when Tommy Edman took Trey Wingenter deep in the eighth inning of the finale. Chicago has been making its West Coast swing to Chavez Ravine since 1962, facing the Dodgers 319 times in this cross-divisional rivalry. While they have come away with series wins in the past two years, the overall record of 136-183 speaks to the difficulty of making such a long road trip at any time in the season. The Dodgers got their start in the Northeast and moved westward. After the move from Brooklyn, they settled first in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but the Dodgers found their forever home in 1962 at Chavez Ravine. Beautiful, breathtaking, “an aesthetic ideal” mirroring Hollywood itself, Dodger Stadium tops many ballpark bucket lists. The construction crew moved 8,000,000 cubic yards of rock and material amidst the natural landscape, slicing a piece of baseball heaven into place. Jackie Robinson’s presence exists inside and outside the ballpark, with statues and stories in full display. With the Dodgers being a juggernaut on the field, finding affordable "good" seats can prove equally daunting. The Kirk Gibson Home Run Seat (section 302, right field pavilion, Row D, seat 88) stands (sits?) immortal. If you haven’t re-enacted that iconic scene from the 1988 World Series while playing baseball, softball, or whiffle ball/ping pong/ice fishing, for that matter…then you need to turn in your baseball fan card. Just turn it in. There is also the infamous Dodger Dog. Which, unsurprisingly, isn't worth the price tag. Specialty Dodger-ritas and loaded nachos, however, are worth it! Wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles this winter, but they don't directly impact the Dodger Stadium area. The scenic Malibu coastal drive will never look the same. However, travelers to LA will still have the iconic Hollywood sign, Disneyland, Rodeo Drive, the Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, and the ocean…all worth the trip in and of themselves. Some of them are free. Some of them are the opposite of free. The trip to Los Angeles from Chicago is more than 2,000 miles, but luckily, the next stop is only 120 miles south down the Pacific Coast to San Diego! San Diego Padres – April 14-16 Petco Park: Capacity 42,000 2024 Attendance: 3,330,545 (Averaged 41,117, ranked 3rd in NL and 4th overall MLB) Chicago's trip to San Diego didn't go as planned, with the Cubs dropping two out of three thanks to a Fernando Tatis Jr. bomb in the 8th in game one and Kyle Hendricks implosion in the finale. Across 69 games at Petco Park, the Cubs and Padres have played to a virtual tie, with Chicago winning 34 contests and the Padres countering with 35. The Padres franchise started in 1969, and while a host of Hall of Famers have donned the jersey, none have brought home a World Series. Tony Gwynn helped lead them to National League pennants in 1984 and 1998, but even a recent spend-a-thon couldn’t bring sustained success to the club. Now, the team finds itself trying to deliver that elusive championship after setting records for attendance. What version of the Padres will be waiting to host the Cubs in April? Will Vladdy Guerrero be added to the All-Star caliber roster? Or will the Padres swing and miss when cashing in on their investments? Petco Park welcomes any baseball fan to experience, regardless of the product on the field. Petco Park opened in 2004 amid the retro-classic era of ballparks. They basically sold out during a solid but moderately unsuccessful season, so that should tell you what you need to know about the quality of the stadium as a destination. It's accessible and offers family and baseball fans various opportunities to connect with the game. Foodies and beer lovers will also find hospitable hosts around the ballpark. Light rail and the trolley system are great ways to get to the game, “Park at the Park” provides open lawn seating, and the beautiful weather makes this a bucket list “must-see” for any Cubs fan. As stated earlier, the Padres are one of the hardest tickets to get in MLB, so be prepared to pay up for this series. From there, the Cubs journey back to Wrigley Field for an eight-game home stand against the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Phillies. That's not a welcoming list of teams, so what kind of record will the Cubs take home with them? View full article