Paul Niemiec

With roughly a week and change left in April, and roughly 90% of the MLB regular season left to go, it’s time to check in on how the rest of the NL Central is doing. As of 4/21, here are the current standings: Reds: 15-8 Pirates: 13-9 Cubs: 13-9 Cardinals: 13-9 Brewers: 12-9 The Cubs were middling to begin the season, but with the bats propelling them to a series win in Philadelphia, and a sweep of the spiraling Mets over the weekend, they are right back in the thick of things. The only caveat now is the state of the rest of the division, which does not have a team below .500. Even the Cardinals, who were thought to be the bottom dweller this season, have gotten off to a nice start. The technically third-place Cubs are still favorites to win the division, but this season is going to be much more of a gauntlet than originally anticipated, even after Milwaukee and St. Louis made some major subtractions from their rosters over the offseason. Here is a brief look at how the Cubs’ divisional rivals have fared so far. Cubs' NL Central Opponent Check-In Cincinnati Reds The Reds, who made the playoffs last season, are leading the division despite a -3 run differential. Coming off a sweep of the formerly red-hot Minnesota Twins, the team still sits dead last in baseball in wRC+ and batting average. The pitching staff as a whole has a 4.54 xERA, which ranks 24th in the league. Their top two starting pitchers, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, have not thrown a pitch yet, and both have ambiguous injury outlooks at this point. Both should be in the rotation at some point this season, but it is unclear when that will be. Still, the Reds are winning games, although they have not played a team with a current record over .500 besides the Pirates. What’s working: The Reds have exactly two things going right for them on offense: Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart. De La Cruz has already reached 1.0 WAR on the young season, with an .859 OPS, six home runs, and five stolen bases. Stewart is doing even better, with a team-leading .978 OPS, seven home runs, and 19 RBI. The 22-year-old is looking like an early frontrunner for the NL ROY award up to this point in the season. After a few seasons with a revolving door at first base, the Reds look like they have another star at the position, their first since Joey Votto retired. Christian Encarnacion-Strand was traded to Baltimore last week, leaving Stewart with little to no competition for playing time, especially with new/old friend Eugenio Suarez taking over the primary DH role. De La Cruz is one of the most exciting young players in the game, but he needed a dependable bat in the lineup to take some weight off his shoulders, and now it looks like he has that. On the pitching side, they’ve gotten quality work out of former first-round pick Rhett Lowder as well as Chase Burns. In the bullpen, Brock Burke, Conor Phillips, Graham Ashcraft and Sam Moll all have ERAs under 3.00, with Tony Santillan yet to give up a run in his 10 innings pitched. Their number 10 organizational prospect Jose Franco has made his debut in the bullpen, and No. 7 prospect Chase Petty is waiting in the wings. If this group can hold things together on the mound until Lodolo and Greene return, the Reds will suddenly have a deep pitching staff going into the second half of the season. What’s not working: The Reds’ offense and pitching rank toward the bottom of MLB in many statistics, and this is because any player I have not mentioned by name yet is off to a rough start. Here is a list of all the players on the Reds with at least 30 plate appearances that are hitting under .200: Tyler Stephenson, Matt McClain, KeBryan Hayes (hitting .058), T.J. Friedl, Noelvi Marte and Will Benson. Another mind blowing offensive stat for this team so far is that outside of the aforementioned Stewart, De La Cruz, Suarez, and Stephenson (due to fielding), not a single player has a positive WAR. The Reds have hitters who have been exciting before in McClain, Spencer Steer and Nathaniel Lowe, but there is definitely something in the water at Great American Ballpark that is causing such an offensive funk for most of the roster. Granted, there is no way this lineup should be this bad the rest of the season, since it is almost identical to the lineup that got them to the post season a year ago. Pitchers Andrew Abbott and Brady Singer are due for some positive regression at some point as well, since both have proven they are better than an ERA over five. The scary thing here for Cubs fans is that this Reds club has had serious problems on both sides of the ball, and is still 15-8. Once they get going, they might be viewed as the biggest threat to the Cubs in the division. Pittsburgh Pirates: We’ve seen this happen in recent memory, but how real is it this time? The Buccos finished April of 2023 with a 13-9 record before the wheels fell off. This team does have a different vibe to it, however. They have the best pitcher in the world in Paul Skenes. 20-year-old phenom Konnor Griffin has made his debut right after signing an extension. Oneil Cruz finally looks like a key offensive piece, and newly acquired Brandon Lowe is mashing with seven home runs. Last season, Pirates starters finished sixth in ERA, and this season, they are currently second at 2.81. Pitching will be a strength as long as Skenes is healthy, but the question once again will be the perennially suspect offense. What’s working: As previously mentioned, the Pirates have one of the highest-upside, young starting staffs in the game. Interestingly enough, Skenes’ 3.27 ERA is the highest of their five starters. 2025 top prospect Bubba Chandler is the only other starter sporting an ERA above 3.00, as Mitch Keller and Braxton Ashcraft are below 3.00. Cameron Mlodzinski, who has quietly been one of the more consistent arms around since 2023, has a dazzling 1.77 ERA through four starts. Jared Jones threw a live bullpen last week and should be joining the rotation sometime in June. The bullpen quartet of Dennis Santana, Yohan Ramirez, Isaac Mattson, and Gregory Soto have been the bright spots in a bullpen that is more good than great to this point. Hunter Barco, who has pitched briefly in the majors this season before being optioned, is one of their higher ranked prospects and should be up again soon. If the offense, which ranks top 10 in runs scored, batting average, home runs, wRC+, and most other categories, is able to stay consistent enough through 162 games, this team could easily win the division. Outside of Cruz and Lowe, free-agent addition Ryan O’Hearn is hitting .329 with a .960 OPS. With Andrew McCutchen in Texas after his somewhat controversial exit, Bryan Reynolds, having been with the team since 2019, is the veteran leader and is enjoying a nice .809 OPS after his substandard 2025. They’re also getting solid contributions from role players Jake Mangum, Spencer Horwitz, and the Nicks: Gonzales and Yorke. Konnor Griffin is not off to the hottest start at the plate, but he has five hits in his last four games, and could be turning a corner. New veteran DH Marcell Ozuna is also seeing the ball better with a pair of homers in the last week, after starting the season ice cold. What’s not working: This is a hard question for this team, because nearly everything seems to be working. Yes, Griffin hasn’t been great through his first few weeks, but the rest of the lineup is getting the job done. They do need a catcher, as 2021 number one overall pick Henry Davis is looking more and more like a bust. Last season, Davis was usurped by another former top prospect Joey Bart, but now they are hitting both under .200. Their No. 9 prospect Rafael Flores made his debut last season, and could fit into the equation this season, but he is hitting .208 with Triple-A Indianapolis. In fact, none of their top prospects in Triple-A are hitting at all, as Jhostynxon Garcia and Termarr Johnson have averages under .160. The Buccos better hope their group at the MLB level can continue to hit, because there doesn’t seem to be a lot of hope in the upper minors right now. There were questions defensively after Cruz had a terrible opening weekend in center field, and O’Hearn was signed to be a makeshift outfielder, but they have been okay, if not better than anticipated. Overall, the vibes are as good as they’ve been in over a decade at PNC Park, so let’s check back later to see how they’re holding up. St. Louis Cardinals The Cardinals were never supposed to be a main character for the 2026 season. They sold veterans Sonny Gray, Nolan Arenado, and Willson Contreras and were set on rebuilding, as their only “significant” addition was RHP Dustin May. Yet, here they are, tied with the Cubs, albeit with a -10 run differential. Cubs fans know the Redbirds have always found a way to remain competitive, and while this is the weakest roster in the division on paper, that could change quickly if some of the early results prove to be no fluke. What’s working: Former top prospect Jordan Walker leads the NL in home runs with eight and all of baseball in WAR with 1.8. He is hitting .305 with a 1.013 OPS and is finally looking like the offensive force he was projected to be. Still only 24 years old, this looks like the breakout Cardinals fans have been waiting for, and if he ends up being the new offensive face of the team for the next half decade, St. Louis will yet again hold one of the best hitters in baseball. Alec Burleson has seemingly found his home at first base after bouncing around from the infield to outfield over his first few seasons. He is hitting .280 with an .820 OPS with more walks than strikeouts. Former seventh overall pick J.J. Wetherholt made his debut on Opening Day and has a .750 OPS, which is third on the team. The pitching has been a bigger question mark, but they have a few young arms off to hot starts, who are auditioning for their role on the present and future Cardinals staffs. Although he is not striking hitters out, righty Michael McGreevy leads the team with a 2.49 ERA in four starts. Andre Pallante and Matthew Liberatore have been solid contributors as well, and should improve as the season progresses. The real treasure here on the Cards’ pitching staff is closer Riley O’Brien. The 31-year-old righty is building off a breakout 2025, where he pitched to a 2.06 ERA in 48 innings. He hasn’t given up a run this season in 12 1/3 innings and has a K/9 over ten. JoJo Romero has also been serviceable in the back end of the bullpen, with a 2.25 ERA. Likewise, 2021 fifth-round draft pick Gordon Graceffo has an ERA under 1.00 in his 10 2/3 innings pitched. Breakout rookie Matt Svanson was their best reliever last season, but has struggled so far in 2026. If he can reign in the walks (7.6/9), he would go a long way toward improving on their 25th-ranked bullpen xERA. In terms of reinforcements on the prospect lists, slugging outfielder Joshua Baez and pitchers Jurrangelo Cijntje and Quinn Mathews should see regular playing time before the season ends. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar should be back by late May or early June, which will certainly improve the offense as well. What’s not working: The underlying stats for the offense (sixth in WAR, 13th in wRC+, 15th in batting average) show that the Redbirds could produce at least league-average offense throughout the whole year, but the pitching is a different story. They have the worst team K/9 in the game at 6.38, and they’re also in the bottom third in the league in BB/9. Free-agent addition Dustin May has given up 15 earned runs in 19 1/3 innings but has an FIP under four, signaling some positive regression could be looming. Kyle Leahy, on the other hand, has an FIP close to six, and does not at all resemble the guy who was one of their most important starters last season. They’ve also gotten lucky, being 5-0 in extra innings, and 5-0 in one run games. O’Brien deserves credit where it's due, but he is not exactly a proven big league arm. The Cards will need a quick turnaround from veteran Ryne Stanek in order to continue winning close contests. Milwaukee Brewers: The defending NL Central champs started the season hot; they swept the White Sox to open the season and followed that up with series victories against the Rays and Royals. Then, they hit a skid on a road trip to the East, where they lost the second and third games of their series in Boston, and were swept by the Nationals. They had a nice rebound last week, winning both series against the spiraling AL champion Blue Jays and the scrappy, but still meh, Marlins. The offense that carried them last season has been middle of the pack in nearly any category you can name, and the pitching is very average as well. The Brewers started slower last year, and came roaring back, much to the dismay of Cubs fans everywhere. With reigning Manager of the Year Pat Murphy at the controls, and young ace Jacob Misiorowski leading the starting staff, there are still many reasons to bet on the Crew again. What’s working: Misiorowski is leading baseball with 42 strikeouts, which is helping fans forget that former ace Freddy Peralta is on the Mets. Brandon Woodruff is having a nice start to the year as well, in what he is surely hoping is going to be his first fully healthy season in a few years. The veteran pitching on the qualifying offer has a 3.42 ERA in his four starts. Speaking of ERA, Chad Patrick’s is under 1.00 in 19 innings pitched. Kyle Harrison, a former top-100 prospect, seems comfortable in his third organization in under a year. The bullpen hasn’t been nearly as effective, but DL Hall, Aaron Ashby and Grant Anderson have kept the group afloat. Offensively, William Contreras and Bryce Turang are each hitting over .300, with Turang’s .437 OBP leading the NL. Garrett Mitchell has an OPS exceeding .800, and Gary Sanchez is tied with Jake Bauers for the team lead in home runs with five. Jackson Chourio is expected back sometime in May, which will be a much-needed boost to this lineup. What’s not working: The Brewers have a few key contributors not working right now. Christian Yelich just hit the IL and is expected to miss about a month. Andrew Vaughn has been out since Opening Day, and pitchers Quinn Priester, Craig Yoho, and Jared Koenig are all out as well. Injuries are a part of the game, and the Brewers are good at finding replacements, but they need Chourio, Yelich, and Vaughn in the lineup as much as possible because they have some guys who are not hitting. Joey Ortiz is hitting below the Mendoza line, along with Sal Frelick, but with Ortiz, it's looking more and more evident that his ceiling is that of a weak hitter. The Luis Rengifo third baseman strategy is flat out not working, as he is currently worth -0.3 WAR while hitting .167. Too bad their other newly acquired infielder, David Hamilton, is also hitting sub-.200, while top prospects Jett Williams and extension recipient Cooper Pratt are struggling in Triple, so it looks like Rengifo is the answer for the foreseeable future. They’re in need of their bullpen reinforcements too, as prospect Brandon Sproat has given up 13 earned runs and already been moved out of the rotation. The biggest issue in their pen is closer Trevor Megill, who has been brutal to start the season. He has an ERA over 10.00 while giving up eight earned runs, while last season, he gave up 13 earned runs in total. With an offense that is not nearly as potent as it was a season ago, the Brewers can’t afford to be coughing up leads late in games.

The injured list keeps getting longer for the Chicago Cubs. The focus over the past few weeks has been the starting rotation—mainly the news that righthander Cade Horton will be out for the remainder of the season. The impact of an injury to a pitcher like Horton, who was on his way to being one of the top young starters in the game, is massive for the Cubs, who lack a true ace. Now, the bullpen is being ripped apart, too, by a series of injuries over the last week or so. Free-agent additions Phil Maton and Hunter Harvey are both on the 15-day IL, and so is Ethan Roberts. On Wednesday, we found out that Porter Hodge will be joining Cade Horton on the injured list for the rest of the season, due to UCL surgery. Though the jury was out on how much Hodge could actually be counted on this season, losing him for the season in mid-April will present the Cubs with another depth-related challenge. After a breakout rookie season in 2024 wherein the 23-year-old posted a 1.88 ERA (2.75 FIP) with a WHIP under 0.90 in 43 innings pitched, he was set to be one of the team’s high-leverage relievers last year. In fact, before the 2025 season started, the armchair general managers in the Cubs subreddit were debating on whether the Ryan Pressly trade made sense, suggesting Hodge should be the answer in the ninth inning. Even though walks were probably always going to be a point of concern, the 6-foot-4 righty boasted a fastball that could touch the upper 90s, and a wipeout slider that made the 2019 13th-round pick a potential weapon for a bullpen lacking a shutdown option. Relief pitching was a strength for the Cubs in 2025, with the bullpen finishing 11th in baseball with an ERA of 3.78. However, Hodge was a surprising non-factor, as he dealt with various injuries, pitching 33 innings in the majors with a ghastly 6.27 ERA. He still missed bats, as evident by his near 11 K/9, but he was hit around otherwise, giving up nine home runs in that small sample. Injuries aside, his fastball and slider velocity were a tick up from 2024, giving Cubs fans hope that Hodge could still overpower hitters, and would eventually work his way back into the pen. He had not yet thrown a pitch in 2026 before we got the news of this latest injury, which will certainly cost him not only 2026, but some of the 2027 season, too. The good news is that he's still pre-arbitration, so he remains a long-term option, but the club hanging onto him is no guarantee. The Cubs have one of the hardest bullpens to project, based on their affinity for making plenty of low-risk signings, so there is a non-zero chance that we have seen Hodge for the last time as a Cub. Moving forward, the Cubs are going to have to find more serviceable right-handed relief options. With all the injuries that have unfolded already, the Cubs are carrying a whopping five lefties in their bullpen: Caleb Thielbar and Hoby Milner have been around since Opening Day, but now, Luke Little is back, along with Ryan Rolison and rookie Riley Martin. Ben Brown has been a nice revelation as a full-time reliever so far, closer Daniel Palencia has not allowed an earned run, and Colin Rea has carried over the effectiveness from last season. Now with Rea needing to join the rotation, another right-handed relief option is gone. Jacob Webb is active, but his ERA is north of 5.00, and the only other righty on the 40-man roster is Gavin Hollowell and his negative career WAR. He's hurt, too, though less severely; he just hit the 7-day IL for Iowa. The 9-9 Cubs can sit tight and hope this lefty-heavy group can hold their own until Maton, Harvey and Roberts are back, but the chase for the NL Central crown is looking a lot tougher with the way Cincinnati and Pittsburgh have opened their seasons. The Cubs will be shopping for relievers come July, but they might need new faces in this group before then. The problem is, they don't have a ton of promising options. As for prospects, Jaxon Wiggins might be up at some point this summer, but his services could be needed in the thinned-out rotation. Their next-best pitching prospect is 19-year-old Kaleb Wing, the club’s No. 12 prospect, according to mlb.com. There is one interesting option who sits on their top 30 prospect list: 26-year-old Grant Kipp, who has thrown 8 1/3 scoreless innings to open the season with Knoxville. He is not an overpowering arm, but what he’s done so far has worked. What’s wrong with riding the hot hand? Out west in Des Moines, there’s not a whole lot to be excited about from righties. There is a 30-year-old, 6-foot-8 reliever named Gabe Klobotsits, who has a 2.08 ERA. Former top prospect turned journeyman Vince Velazquez is trying to make the majors for the first time since 2023 and has the fourth-lowest WHIP on the team (1.05), trailing Paul Campbell, Zac Leigh, and, you guessed it, Gabe Klobosits. The cupboard is bare. Free agency is just as grim, but maybe they can pry Jorge Lopez away from the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican league. Flamethrower Michael Kopech is still out there, but he’s coming off a season wherein he only pitched 11 innings due to injuries and still isn’t healthy. Guys are hitting the waiver wire all the time, and the Cubs shouldn’t be doomed once some of these arms start coming back, but the Hodge injury is a huge blow to their right-handed bullpen depth, something that could be foreseen as an issue this whole season. If there is one silver lining to playing the Mets, Phillies, and Dodgers over their next three series, it is that those lineups are built around their stud lefty hitters, giving the lefty-heavy bullpen a bit of an advantage. They will need to figure out what to do when they head to San Diego at the end of the month and face off against Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts.

It isn’t even halfway through April, and the Chicago Cubs’ pitching depth is already noticeably depleted. We got the news last week that the Cubs would be without sophomore starter Cade Horton for the rest of the season, due to a UCL injury. That came after the team placed Opening Day starter Matthew Boyd on the 15-day IL with a biceps strain. Before the season, the Cubs had some of the better rotation depth in baseball. Horton and Boyd were set to lead the rotation, with Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and Edward Cabrera to follow. Swingman extraordinaire Colin Rea was in the bullpen, but could easily slot into the rotation. The underrated, dependable Javier Assad was stashed in Triple-A, along with top prospect Jaxon Wiggins. Oh, and their ace lefty, Justin Steele, would be showing up midseason. Now, what looked like a deep group has thinned out substantially, and there might be a need for outside reinforcement. It's not just Boyd and Horton. Top offseason relief additions Phil Maton and Hunter Harvey are already on the shelf. Jordan Wicks and Porter Hodge have been sidelined since February. Wiggins has a sore arm. Even some of the way-down-the-list guys in Iowa are out of commission. Well, there is one right-handed pitcher who posted 2.1 bWAR last season and remains unsigned: veteran starter Lucas Giolito. Last season with Boston, he pitched to a 3.41 ERA in 145 innings, but with a more worrisome 4.17 FIP and fanGraphs xERA of 5.01, signaling his good results were a bit better than his actual performance. His 19.7% strikeout rate was his lowest since 2018, before he turned the corner and became a mid-rotation workhorse for the White Sox. Last season marked his return to the mound after a second Tommy John surgery that cost him 2024. Due to that injury, and his age (31), there is more than enough reason to believe that Giolito can be better in 2026—but also enough uncertainty hanging over him to keep his market tepid. So why has he not been signed? There seems to be a pretty large disconnect between what Giolito thinks he's worth and what teams are comfortable paying him. He turned down a $19-million option with the Red Sox, certainly thinking he could secure a longer-term pact. Now that the season has begun, that gamble is looking more and more foolish by the week, especially considering the lack of success for pitchers who sign after Opening Day. No projections have him pitching to an ERA better than 4.50 for 2026, so he's not headed for a multi-year payday or anything. It seems unlikely, though, that he'll play for less than an eight-figure (prorated) salary. Robert Murray of FanSided said the Cubs are “most likely” to move forward with their internal options instead of pursuing Giolito, but if his price tag comes down, then the Cubs should seriously consider the addition. At this point in his career, he's not exactly a sexy addition to the front half of a rotation, but he could provide competitive innings. Imanaga looks great this year so far, but he had injury issues a season ago. Boyd and Cabrera have each spent an unfortunately large portion of their careers on the IL, and Steele is returning from a serious injury that cost him nearly all of last season. This need already feels pressing, and it's likely to get worse, not better. Though Giolito was mostly healthy last season, he was scratched in the postseason due to more elbow troubles, so there is still an injury risk here. But who else can the Cubs turn to? It's (probably) too early in the season for the trade market to take shape, and the remaining free agents not named Giolito include Nestor Cortes, Jon Gray, old friend Marcus Stroman, Alex Cobb and Frankie Montas. Giolito is younger and coming off a better season than all five of those other pitchers, so for the right price, he is really the only legitimate option who can slide into a rotation in the next month—if, indeed, even he can. As of today, the Cubs are 7-8, good for last place in the NL Central. The main focus has been an anemic offense. It's too early to start waiving the red flags with that group, which is just getting up to speed, but it's not too early to explore pitching depth in a depleted rotation. Last year, the Cubs' chief rivals found Quinn Priester in a seemingly desperate April trade to patch holes in their own rotation. The Cubs don't have the Brewers' organizational depth or acuity in moves like those, though, so they have to more seriously consider an expensive alternative.

The Chicago Cubs wrapped up their second home series of the season earlier this week, taking two of three from the Los Angeles Angels. This early season bout between interleague non-rivals has two points of trivial significance. The first being that the Angels were the Cubs’ opening series of the 2016 season, although that one was in Anaheim. Ten years later, the Cubs are back in a competitive window and have taken advantage of perennially rebuilding Angels squad to jump start 2026. The second point, one that I will be diving into here, has to do with the Angels’ DH: old friend Jorge Soler. The Cuban outfielder and designated hitter defected from Cuba in 2011 and made his debut for the Cubs as a 22-year-old in 2014. He was one of the first prospects called up that would eventually lead them to the 2016 World Series. He was also part of a massive trade following the 2016 season; just over a month after the championship was won, Soler was traded to the Kansas City Royals for their two-time All Star closer Wade Davis, who was hand-picked to replace Aroldis Chapman. At the time, Davis was coming off a year where he transitioned into being a full-time closer, saving 27 games and posting an elite-level ERA of 1.87. Though Davis was a one-year rental, the Cubs needed a proven, high-leverage arm at the back end of the bullpen to properly defend their title. Davis ended up being worth every penny during his lone season in Chicago. He saved 32 games with a 2.30 ERA, struck out 79 hitters in under 60 innings pitched, and made his third consecutive All-Star team. Most notably, he carried the team on his back for 2 1/3 innings to close out game 5 of the NLDS versus the Nationals. After the season, he signed a three-year contract with the Rockies, where he pitched about as well as you’d imagine for a Colorado reliever not named Brian Fuentes. Although the Cubs did not repeat as World Series champs in 2017, that season represents the last time the Cubs had a closer with 30 saves. It has been eight campaigns and counting that the Cubs have been looking for an anchor in the ninth inning. To give them credit, they signed frequently injured flamethrower Brandon Morrow to replace Davis, and he did save 22 games while battling injuries in 2018. In 2019, Craig Kimbrel came aboard in what would eventually become the last major free agent splash orchestrated by Theo Epstein. Kimbrel’s 23 saves in 2021 before his deadline trade to the White Sox represents the highest of any Cubs’ closer since Davis in 2017. His 3.22 ERA with the Cubs from 2019-2021 was a far cry from his time in Atlanta and Boston, but he’s still the only player to lead the Cubs in saves for more than one year since the Hector Rondon days. His tenure remains somewhat forgettable since it happened during the span that we saw the championship core eventually disband, but he was at least a reliable ninth-inning fireman. After Kimbrel was traded and the Epstein era officially ended, we began to see the Jed Hoyer bargain-bin bullpen approach, which is still alive today. After the 2021 roster blow up, it did not make sense to pay for any difference-making relievers. Then. 37-year-old David Robertson joined the bullpen in 2022, saving 14 games, which lead the team, before being traded to the Phillies. That started the Cubs trend of bringing in a few different veterans with closing experience and hoping one of them can hold onto the job. Former Orioles closer Mychal Givens, as well as Chris Martin, were also in the bullpen that season. In 2023, former closer Brad Boxberger and former-top-prospect-turned-reliever Michael Fulmer were meant to compete for the closer job; instead, it ended up going to the first in-house candidate since Hector Rondon. Adbert Alzolay saved 22 games with a 2.67 ERA, and gave the fans a reason to be excited about the 2024 bullpen. The optimism lasted a few weeks, as Alzolay was booted from the closer role before the calendar even turned to May. Arm issues took him out for the rest of 2024 that he suffered in May, and he has not pitched in the majors since. The 2024 Cubs saves leader ended up being veteran Hector Neris with 17, but there was another homegrown reliever making his presence felt: right-hander Porter Hodge. Hodge converted nine saves with a 1.88 ERA in 43 innings and was giving fans the same sense of optimism heading into last season. Instead, the injury bug bit yet again and he regressed to an ERA over 6.00 in only 33 innings. Hodge was never penciled in as the closer, however, as the Cubs made a trade with the Astros to acquire two-time All-Star Ryan Pressly. The problem with Pressly was that he was 36 years old and undeniably washed by the time he made his way to Chicago. After being pulled from the closer role in early May, he was eventually released before the trade deadline. He totaled five saves in his last season before retiring. Now, the buck seemingly has stopped here with the 2025 Cubs saves leader and 2026 WBC champion Daniel Palencia. Team Venezuela’s closer was a mid-range prospect for the Cubs after being acquired in the 2021 Andrew Chafin trade and pitched sparingly in the majors from 2023-2024. As aforementioned, he was not meant to be the closer last season, but Craig Counsell trusted Palencia’s triple-digit fastball enough to replace the out-of-gas Pressly. For the 2025 postseason, he was used as the first reliever out of the pen, with Brad Keller closing out the games. With Keller on the Phillies, Palencia is the only reliever with any closing experience for 2026. Over the first six games of the season, he has no saves (hasn’t had an opportunity) but has not allowed a run in four innings pitched. In those appearances, he has shown more confidence and poise on the mound, which could be attributed to closing out the WBC for Venezuela’s upset win. That injury bug remains a pesky problem, but there's no denying that Palencia has the bravado to finally cross that 30-save threshold... assuming the Cubs can give him enough opportunities to get there.

The Chicago Cubs officially have one of the better first basemen in baseball, the first time they can say that since the departure of Anthony Rizzo back in 2021. Things seemed bleak at first base for some time; we saw Frank Schwindel and Patrick Wisdom for too long. Past-their-prime veterans Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini were supposed to be the bridge to slugging prospect Matt Mervis, but he is long gone as well. Most were a bit stumped prior to the 2024 season when the Cubs traded teenage pitching prospect Jackson Ferris and top outfield prospect Zyhir Hope for an aging prospect without a clear defensive position. Then, when they almost immediately announced he would be transitioning to first, it made their outlook even more confusing. Michael Busch was regarded as one of best hitters of the 2019 draft when the Dodgers selected him out of UNC with the 31st overall pick. He made his debut in 2023 and hit .167 in 81 plate appearances while playing a subpar second and third base. Going into 2024, the Dodgers had Busch, Kike Hernandez, Miguel Vargas, Chris Taylor, Gavin Lux and Miguel Rojas competing for work in the infield behind Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy. Although Busch was expendable at that point, he was still the 51st ranked prospect in baseball, and would become the Cubs’ number four organizational prospect behind Cade Horton, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Owen Caissie. Fast-forward two seasons and now Busch is picking up down-ballot MVP votes and leading the Cubs in home runs. First starting off as a platoon player, Busch began starting everyday early in 2025 and is one of the set-it-and-forget-it players in the lineup. Chicago Cubs First Basemen At A Glance Starter: Michael Busch Backup: Tyler Austin (On IL), Jonathon Long Depth: Moises Ballesteros, Owen Miller (minors), Christian Bethancourt (minors) Prospects: B.J. Murray The Good: Well, Michael Busch is pretty darn good. The 28-year-old lefty broke out massively in 2025, slashing .261/.343/.523 with 34 home runs, 90 RBIs, and serving as the leadoff hitter for the Cubs’ first postseason run since 2020. You’d have to go back all the way to 2019 when Kyle Schwarber hit 38 homers to find a higher total than Busch’s. His 4.6 WAR was tied for third on the team, trailing only Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner. As for first basemen league-wide, he was tied with Bryce Harper and only trailed Matt Olson, Freddie Freeman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Pete Alonso. Under the hood, the statcast numbers show a player who is blossoming into one of the top offensive forces in the game. His average exit velocity of 92.2 was tied for 18th in baseball, his barrel percentage of 17.1 was 11th, and he finished 10th in xwOBA at .378. In a game where luck is certainly a factor, Busch is showing consistent, quality contact that cannot be considered a fluke. In fact, Busch’s wOBA of .369 shows he was a little unlucky last season. Defensively, Busch posted a .996 fielding percentage and 2 DRS that placed top six amongst MLB first basemen. He is not going to win four gold gloves like Rizzo, but he will make the routine plays while bailing out a few bad throws from the Cubs' excellent infield. For 2026, Busch is an integral part of a lineup that is half proven veterans and young studs who need to establish themselves as bona fide contributors. He is the team’s most important left-handed bat who will be relied upon to play 150+ games again (he played in 155 last season). The Bad: Did you notice how the entire previous section only mentioned Michael Busch? That is because he is the the majority of what is good about the Cubs’ first base situation. Across the infield, Matt Shaw is lined up to backup at any of the three other spots, with top prospect Pedro Ramirez looking close to MLB ready. In the outfield, Kevin Alcantara is deserving of an extended look, if one of the starters goes down. But first base? It really seems like Busch or bust, since offseason signee Tyler Austin will be missing the first month or more of the season. Even if Austin was healthy to start the year, he's still a 34-year-old with 0.9 career WAR, who hasn’t played in the majors since 2019. He’s had a cumulative .945 OPS in the NPB over the last six seasons, but banking on any sort of production in his return stateside is wishful thinking. After Austin, the cupboard runs bare very quickly. Craig Counsell’s old friend Owen Miller is down in the minors and has first base experience. He went 8-30 this spring and brings an extra element of speed to the table. One-game wonder Christian Bethancourt is back with the organization and has enough experience at the cold corner to be considered another unexciting option. Moises Ballesteros played four innings of first base last season, but is currently penciled in as the starting DH. From a fan’s perspective, the most exciting option if Busch were to miss time would be prospect Jonathan Long. The Long Beach State alum is coming off an excellent AAA season where he hit .305 with an .883 OPS and 20 homers, but needs to hit the ball in the air more to reach his power potential. Long sits outside of the top 100 MLB prospects and has a long-term outlook of being a potential role player, rather than a difference maker in the middle of the lineup. The point here is that Busch needs to stay healthy or else there becomes a massive hole in the lineup. The Bottom Line: There are depth questions here after Busch, but the Cubs have an ascending star at first base. Even if his home run total isn’t as high as last season, the Cubs are counting on their leadoff hitter to propel them back to the postseason. In terms of his contract, he is still pre-arbitration and has four years of team control remaining. There are few other first basemen in baseball producing like Busch and not taking up a huge portion of their team’s payroll. He won’t be this cheap forever, so fans need to enjoy this while it lasts. First base is a position of strength for the Cubs again.

With Opening Day a couple weeks away, the Chicago Cubs have some key roster decisions looming. The starting lineup is generally set, and will look a lot like it did last season, but with Alex Bregman replacing Kyle Tucker in either the two or three hole. Here, we are going to look at the Cubs’ outlook at designated hitter for the 2026 season. Last season, Seiya Suzuki started 102 games at DH, with Kyle Tucker taking over in the playoffs after a hairline fracture in his hand was revealed in August. Justin Turner made some starts as a DH, as well as rookie catcher Moises Ballesteros. Since the DH was introduced in the NL in 2020, then again permanently in 2022, the Cubs have used the spot as a way to get players off their feet or mitigate injury risk. Suzuki’s 2025 marks the only time a single player has started over 100 games at the position. With the departure of Tucker, Suzuki is currently pencilled in as the starting right fielder, and the DH will likely revert to a position of flexibility for Craig Counsell. As of now, FanGraphs.com projects a platoon situation for the Cubs, with Ballesteros getting the lion’s share of starts against righties, while Suzuki getting the starts against southpaws (with newly trained outfielder Matt Shaw taking care of right field). Alex Bregman, who turns 32 at the end of this month, will also get work there to allow the defensive-minded Shaw to return to the infield. The rest of the field could include the other catchers, Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly, since Ballesteros will also get time behind the plate. Tyler Austin will be back into the mix at some point mid-season following knee surgery, and Michael Conforto was added to the room weeks ago, although on a minor-league deal. Cubs Designated Hitters At A Glance Starters: Moises Ballesteros/Seiya Suzuki Backup: Alex Bregman Depth: Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly, Michael Conforto, Tyler Austin Prospects: Jonathan Long, B.J. Murray The Good: Ballesteros is the Cubs’ number one organizational prospect, and baseball’s 55th ranked prospect according to Mlb.com. The 5-foot-8 22-year-old impressed in 20 games last season, hitting .298 with an .868 OPS, and will get the first crack out of camp. The Cubs seemed like a destination for another bat outside of Bregman, but the front office clearly does not want to block Ballesteros for another year. He has a .289 cumulative batting average across five minor-league seasons and has nothing left to prove. He'll likely bat in the bottom third, which is a lower pressure spot that should allow him to get more comfortable in the big leagues without feeling like he needs to be a top contributor in the lineup right away. FGDC projections are a bit light in terms of games played, at 84, with a slash line of .264/.327/.400; not a bad season by any means, but he seems capable of more. Ballesteros has only four major-league at bats against lefties, which would be too coincidental to not be by design. This brings us to the right-handed tandem of this platoon, Seiya Suzuki. He is going to play nearly everyday (when healthy), splitting between right field and DH. Fresh off a 32-homer campaign, Suzuki is as good of a bet as anyone to repeat those numbers, as he is coming into a contract year at 31 years old. His exit velocity has remained consistent to the rest of his career, but a launch angle improvement in 2025 caused by his barrel rate jump to 16.6%, which ranked 12th in the majors, portends some good days ahead. With Suzuki as a DH in the middle of the lineup against lefties, Shaw, who smashed lefties to the tune of an .808 OPS last year, should be a productive hitter in the bottom of the lineup. Areas of Concern: Ballesteros’ 50-grade power could eventually evolve into 20-plus homers, but he’s going to need to start hitting the ball in the air more. His high batting average and OPS in his major-league sample last season masked a ground ball rate of 62.2%. Even before the call-up, his ground ball rate was hovering close to 50% in 114 Triple-A games. His improved exit velocity and hard-hit rate are not going to translate to as much success if he cannot lift the ball more consistently. He is not exactly a burner out of the batter's box either, so this could also mean double plays galore for opposing defenses. If Ballesteros can improve on his 0.8 degree launch angle that he showed in the majors, and starts hitting more balls in the air and over the wall, it would go a long way in assuring the Cubs can finish near the top of baseball in home runs again. Last season, Suzuki, Michael Busch, and PCA topped 30 home runs for the first time in their careers. How safe is it to expect those numbers again? Especially in the case of PCA, whose power surge was as unexpected as any in baseball. Alex Bregman is more of an all-around hitter than a pure power hitter. For the team that finished sixth in baseball in home runs last season, there’s a lot of variables going into 2026. If Ballesteros continues to struggle with lifting the ball, and home run regression happens from any of the three 30-homer hitters a season ago, there could be instant regret in not bringing in a more established home run hitter at the DH spot. As for a Ballesteros backup plan: Michael Conforto and Dylan Carlson have been tearing up spring training, and first base prospect Jonathan Long should be ready for the majors after he returns from injury. Now here’s the bad news: Although he launched 20 homers with the Giants in 2024, the 33-year-old Conforto has not been a difference making bat since he hit .322 with a 2.1 WAR in the 60-game 2020 season. Carlson has never lived up to his top prospect pedigree to this point in his career and spent the last two seasons bouncing around, playing sparingly. Though Long offers intrigue as an offensive prospect, he is viewed as a higher floor player without difference-maker upside. Tyler Austin will also be in the mix upon returning from injury, but he hasn’t played in majors since 2019, and has a total of 0.9 career WAR over four seasons. He owns a slash line of .293/.377/.568 across six NPB seasons, but still counts as a lottery ticket more than a bankable contributor. The Bottom Line The in-house approach to the DH spot is all going to hinge on Ballesteros making the necessary adjustments to hold that position down. They have a top prospect in a platoon with a slugging outfielder, with Bregman filling in when he needs a day off from the field, which is a good blueprint in theory, but could test the depth of this roster should things go wrong. The plan B would be Suzuki moving back to the full-time DH, with Shaw (or Alcantara or Carlson) taking over in right field. Bregman could also make a large portion of his starts there, but taking a 2024 Gold Glove winner, who just signed a $175 million contract, off the field seems unlikely. We will see within the first couple months of the season whether Ballesteros holds his own or if the Cubs will need to add a power bat to their trade deadline shopping list.

Every hidden nook, cranny, and secluded vista at the Chicago Cubs ballpark. By the fans, for the fans. (Updated for 2026!) Welcome! This is the definitive guide to Wrigley Field, by the fans and for the fans. These recommendations were assembled by North Side Baseball writers and community members who frequent the ballpark and have uncovered the best views, values, and secrets to share with you. Whether you're a casual fan visiting the Friendly Confines for the first time and looking for tips, or even if you're a diehard local who wants to make sure they're getting the most out of their experience at the Federal Landmark, we've got you covered. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the Wrigley Field experience, but should you have additional recommendations or suggestions, please use the comment fields found below this article. Enjoy and have a great time at the ballpark! Table of Contents (click to jump to section) Wrigley Field Facts and Specs Best Places to Park & Public Transit Around Wrigley Field Best Seats at Wrigley Field Best Food at Wrigley Field Best Bars & Drinks Around Wrigley Field Fan Favorites at Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Fan FAQs Wrigley Field At A Glance Address: 1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613 Opened: April 23rd, 1914 Originally opened as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federals of the Federal League Was renamed “Cubs Park” in 1920, once the Wrigley family bought the team from Charles Weeghman Finally, in 1926, the stadium earned its century-long moniker of “Wrigley Field”, named after William Wrigley Jr., the owner of the Cubs at the time It is the second-oldest ballpark in baseball, behind only Fenway Park of the Boston Red Sox (opened in 1912) Capacity: 41,649 Dimensions (distances from home plate as of 2025) LF: 355 feet LCF: 368 feet CF: 400 feet RCF: 368 feet RF: 353 feet Wall Height: 11.5ft (bleachers); 15ft (corners/foul poles) Parking & Public Transit Around Wrigley Field Whether you plan to drive to the stadium or take public transportation, all your options are below. If you'd like to see a blown-up version of the surrounding area map, scroll down for an interactive map. Parking Around Wrigley Field First things first with parking: you can (and should) reserve a parking spot if you know you're going to a game in advance. You can do so here through the Cubs' SpotHero partnership, which ensures affordable, available parking for all Wrigley Field events. If you can't get a spot with SpotHero (or if your gameday venture is more of the last-minute variety), you have other options. The Cubs offer free remote parking at 3900 N. Rockwell St., just east of the Chicago River and accessed from Irving Park Road. The Cubs' Remote Parking Lot is available for night and weekend games and includes a free shuttle service to and from Wrigley Field. Services begin two hours before first pitch, and returning shuttles board post-game and run approximately one hour after the end of the game. Note that the free shuttle service drops off and picks up fans on Irving Park Road between Clark Street and Seminary Avenue. If you don’t mind a bit of a walk, there are areas with free street parking, but be sure to get to the area early. The closest free parking on the street is north of Irving Park Rd, on Clark St, and on Ashland Ave, between Byron St and Grace St. There are also three other lots supported by the Cubs during game days: Toyota Camry Lot: Season Parking Holders, Game Day. 1126 W. Grace St. Chicago, IL 60613 Toyota RAV4 Lot: Season Parking Holders. 1140 W. Eddy St. Chicago, IL 60613 Irving Park Lot: Season Parking Holders, Combo, Game Day. 1052 Irving Park Rd. Chicago, IL 60613 You’ll also find various smaller private lots with parking available for anywhere from $30-$60. Byron’s Hot Dogs (1017 Irving Park Rd) opens their lot on game days, Residents of the area charge fans to park in their designated parking spots, while this could be expensive, these are some of the easiest spots to get out of after the game. Most of these areas allow fans to leave their car for up to two hours after the game. Public Transit To Wrigley Field Wrigley Field can be accessed by any of the major transportation hubs in Chicago. LaSalle St. Station - CTA: Exit station on Van Buren. Take the elevated brown line at LaSalle/Van Buren north to Fullerton. Transfer to the red line north to Addison. Midway Airport - CTA: Take the eastbound train on the "Orange" rapid transit line to the Lake/State stop. Walk down the stairs to the State Street subway entrance and get on the northbound Howard/Dan Ryan "Red" line. Take this to the Addison Street stop. Walk one block west on Addison, and you're at Wrigley Field. Ogilvie Transportation Center: Exit onto Washington. Take No. 20 or No. 56 Milwaukee east to State and Washington. Head downstairs to the red line. Take the northbound train to Addison. O'Hare Airport - CTA: Take the "Blue" rapid transit line to the Addison Street stop. Transfer to the CTA No. 152 eastbound bus, which lets off at the ballpark. Union Station - CTA: Take the CTA No. 1 Indiana/Hyde Park bus or the No. 151 Sheridan bus to the Jackson/State subway station. Transfer to the Howard/Dan Ryan "Red" rapid transit line northbound to the Addison Street stop, which lets out one block east of the ballpark. Note that there are also rideshare options (e.g., Uber, Lyft, etc.) and accessibility for bikers. All of that information can be accessed here. Best Seats & Gates To Use at Wrigley Field Below is an image that showcases the seating map and entrance and exit gates for Wrigley Field. Gate Names and Locations at Wrigley Field Marquee Gate, formerly known as Gate F, is located at the intersection of Addison and Clark streets. Gallagher Way Gate, formerly known as Gate H, is located on Clark Street on the western side of the ballpark. Horizon Left Field Gate, formerly known as Gate K, is located on Waveland Avenue on the northwest side of the ballpark. (This gate tends to be the least crowded) Budweiser Bleacher Gate is located at the intersection of Sheffield and Waveland avenues. Wintrust Right Field Gate, formerly known as Gate D, is located on Addison Street on the southeast side of the ballpark. C.D. Peacock Premier Entrance is located on Clark Street on the western side of the ballpark. Seating Options at Wrigley Field Time to talk about the fun stuff now: where to sit. Given the nature of its historic (but outdated) architecture, not every seat at Wrigley Field is as optimized for the gameday experience as you might find in a more modern ballpark like Camden Yards or PNC Park. However, that also means there are unique viewing experiences compared to other stadiums and sections of the ballpark, each with its own culture (which we'll get to in a moment). For an even further in-depth look than what we'll discuss here, feel free to use SeatGeek's handy “View-from-Seat tool” to get an idea of your vantage point from every possible seat at Wrigley: SeatGeek Wrigley Field. NOTE: The Chicago Cubs' dugout is on the third-base side. The visitors' dugout is on the first-base side. Also note that the only bathrooms in the stadium are on the ground level. Obstructed Views: Generally, the terrace and upper deck reserved seats often have giant steel beams or overhangs protruding, blocking part of your peripheral vision. For some, it's not enough to ruin the experience, but it's definitely worth looking for a better seat if available. Wrigley Rooftops: If you have a group or event you want to hold while watching the Cubs live, this is the way to do it. You'll have a suite-like experience with tons of food and drinks to share, though your view of the game day action won't be as intimate as a traditional seat. Note that you won't actually be inside the ballpark if you choose this option. You can see more here. The Bleachers: Obviously. If you've ever seen a home run highlight at Wrigley Field, you know what the deal is. Home to the most loyal and die-hard Cubs fans, the Bleachers is an experience you have to have at least once. Suites: As part of the 1060 Project (a renovation undertaken by Cubs ownership to modernize the stadium and the fan experience), the Cubs updated their suites. Now, the club sells suites for the entire season, but you can buy suites for single games through SuiteHop here. Other Popular Options: Seats down the left and right field foul lines are always in high demand, and you can never go wrong with tickets behind the plate (if you can stomach the hit to your wallet). A lot of fans swear by seats with a little more elevation in the upper levels, though your mileage will vary depending on the group you bring. Just be careful if you happen to sit in Aisle 4, Row 8, Seat 113. "The Yard" is a brand-new addition to Wrigley Field for fans seeking a premium game-day experience. The entertainment space offers fans unlimited beer, wine, seltzers, and non-alcoholic drinks, and ballpark meals are included with tickets. It's meant to feel like your own backyard, at least according to Cubs Senior Vice President of Ticketing Cale Vennum. The area is above the batter’s eye in center field and will be available for groups of fans and a maximum of 50 total guests. Access to ‘The Yard’ will be available to fans 90 minutes before first pitch until the end of the game. Expect a difficult time purchasing tickets for its debut season, though brave fans can try on cubssuites.com. Best Food at Wrigley Field An ever-divisive topic, it has fallen upon me to gather up the opinions of millions of Cubs fans and Wrigley patrons to share the best concession options that the home of the Cubs has to offer. HUGE shout-out to the fine folks at Eater Chicago, who compiled a complete guide to Wrigley eating, available here. Specialty Concessions at Wrigley Field Garrett Popcorn: Chicago's most famous popcorn is, of course, available at Wrigley Field. All of their flavors and options will be sold in several locations, mostly on the first level in the ballpark. Hot Doug's: 2014 was a difficult time for Chicagoans: that was the year Doug Sohn closed his restaurant, but its namesake and flavors can still be enjoyed in the bleachers of Wrigley. As Eater Chicago explains: “The menu offers a rotating selection of player-inspired sausage creations. Those who never had the opportunity to experience Hot Doug's in its glory days now have their chance. Just make sure to have a bleacher ticket first. Note: the sausages are Vienna Beef products, which differ from Sohn's Avondale stand. [It is available in] Bleacher Platform 14.” North Side Twist Pretzel: Arguably the most popular item in all of Wrigley, this two-pound pretzel with three dips (chipotle honey mustard, beer cheddar cheese, and cinnamon frosting) is made for sharing. It's a bit on the pricier side (~$16), but it's an appetizer, meal, and dessert all in one. It can be found at the Blue W concession stand between sections 122-125 on the main concourse. Vienna Beef: The official hot dog of Wrigley Field. Need I say more? Vienna sausages are the perfect canvas for the famous Chicago-style dog (normally a complex affair with mustard, relish, chopped raw onion, sliced tomato, a kosher pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt), and there's a reason the lines at each concession stand are so long. The locations change over time, but Vienna Beef keeps an up-to-date list here. Marquee Classics (Section 117): The Jibarito Sandwich (juicy roast beef, garlic butter, lettuce, tomato and garlic aioli tucked between two smashed and fried plantains), Kimchi Burger (chargrilled plant-based burger topped with house-made kimchi, hoisin aioli and broccoli slaw, served on a toasted sesame bun), Puffy Tacos (crispy puffed flour tortilla topped with carne asada, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, cheddar jack cheese, cilantro and lime wedge), and Chicken & Waffles (crispy fried chicken served with Belgian waffles, hot honey drizzle and strawberries) are 2025 additions that will be available during various homestands. Classic Food Options at Wrigley Field Looking just for classic ballpark food? Here is every location you can get each. Cheeseburger: Third Base Classics, Aisle 110; Marquee Classics, Aisle 117; First Base Classics, Aisle 123; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324 Chicken Tenders Basket with Fries: Left Field Classics, Aisle 105; Third Base Classics, Aisle 110; Marquee Classics, Aisle 117; First Base Classics, Aisle 123; Right Field Classics, Aisle 128; Sheffield Corner, Aisle 134; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324; Waveland Grill, Lower Bleachers Cubs Kids Meal: Left Field Classics, Aisle 105; Right Field Classics, Aisle 128; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324 Hot Dog: Italian Grill, Lower Bleachers; Waveland Grill, Lower Bleachers; Red Line Grill, Lower Bleachers; Bleacher Bums, Upper Bleachers; Pizza Stands, Aisles 103 and 129; Left Field Classics, Aisle 105; Third Base Classics, Aisle 110; Clark Street Grill, Aisle 112; Marquee Classics, Aisle 117; First Base Classics, Aisle 123; Addison Street Grill, Aisle 126; Right Field Classics, Aisle 128; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324; Portables, Aisles 212, 218, 307, and 327 Nachos: Left Field Classics, Aisle 105; Third Base Classics, Aisle 110; Chicago Dog, Aisles 108, 115, and 119; Marquee Classics, Aisle 117; First Base Classics, Aisle 123; Right Field Classics, Aisle 128; Vienna Beef Grill, Aisle 131; Upper Deck Nacho Portables, Aisles 307 and 327; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324; Bleacher Bums, Upper Bleachers; Red Line Grill, Lower Bleachers New for 2026! Wrigley Field is bringing three new food items to fans, beginning at the start of the 2026 season. First, there is the chicken & churros, which is a play on chicken and waffles. It comes with a crispy churro topped with fried chicken, syrup, and powdered sugar. Then, we have the tostada stack, which is four crispy tostada shells stacked with green-chili beef, pico de gallo, and cotija cheese in between. Lastly, there is the bow wow dog, a hybrid of a hot dog and a bao bun. It consists of a chargrilled Vienna hot dog on a bao bun topped with slaw and tempura sport peppers. Dietary Restrictions Dietary restrictions are becoming more commonplace here in 2025, and the Cubs and Wrigley Field have assembled a fine assortment of options for those who have specific guidelines to follow with their eating habits. Gluten Free Options: Hot Dogs (Marquee Classics in Section 117, Left Field Classics in Section 105, Third Base Classics 110, First Base Classics 123, Right Field Classics 128, Upper Deck Classics in Sections 309 and 324 and Bleacher Bums in the Upper Bleachers); Hamburger (Marquee Classics in Section 117, Third Base Classics 110, First Base Classics 123, Upper Deck Classics in Sections 309 and 324); Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza (Left Field Classics in Section 103 and Right Field Classics in Section 129), Grab N Go Portable (Section 218) Kosher Options: Kosher Cart, Aisle 217 Vegan Options: Beyond Burger w/o Mayo or Bun (Third Base Classics in Section 110, First Base Classics in Section 123, Upper Deck Classics 309/324, Red Line Grill in the Lower Bleachers) Vegetarian Options: Veggie Dog (Chicago Dogs in Sections 108, 115, 119, Bleacher Platform 14, Upper Deck portables 311/323) NOTE: Guests with dietary restrictions are welcome to bring food prepared at home into the ballpark in clear bags or containers. The club also offers a variety of food options at Wrigley Field - for the most up-to-date list of all food and beverage choices and locations, visit the Concessions Guide in the MLB Ballpark app. You can also contact a Wrigley Field associate or contact Fan Services by utilizing the “Ask Fan Services” feature within the MLB Ballpark app, calling 800-THE-CUBS, or emailing fanservices@cubs.com for further information. Best Bars & Drinks Around Wrigley Field Wrigleyville Bars Wrigley Field has a number of bar options, though you may actually be better served going to one of the many popular spots in the surrounding Wrigleyville area. Murphy's Bleachers: One of the most popular sports bars in all of America, Murphy's is a local staple. Even if just as a pregame venture, this bar is worth the visit. Best arrive early to secure a table, though. Address: 3655 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60613 The Dugout: A rooftop view of Wrigley Field that opens four hours before game time. There's not much else that needs to be said. Address: 950 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613 Rizzo's Bar and Inn: Though not linked to former Cub Anthony Rizzo, this is the most recently opened establishment on this list. It's directly across the street from Wrigley Field and is particularly popular during the Cubs' day games. Address: 3658 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613 Nisei Lounge: Wrigleyville's oldest standing bar. It's become a staple of longtime Wrigley patrons and serves as an awesome entertainment center both during and after games. Address: 3439 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 Sluggers Bar & Grill: Opened in 1985, Sluggers has been one of the Crown Jewels of Clark St for over 40 years. It’s the largest bar in the area, with two downstairs bars, an upstairs complete with a lounge area, arcade games, and of course, the batting cages. If you make your way upstairs on Saturday nights, they have their famed dueling pianos show as well. Try their pizza, too. Address: 3540 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 Tin Roof: Opened at the end of 2013, Tin Roof is one of the newer bars in Wrigleyville. What makes this place stand out is the Nashville-style live bands that play nearly every night and weekend afternoon. For those who prefer a club scene, there's a bar in the back with a dance floor and a DJ setup. Their menu features some interesting Tex-Mex that is honestly way better than it has any right to be. Address: 3519 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 Stolen Saddle: If you like a country vibe, but don’t want to deal with the college-aged crowd that fills up Old Crow, Stolen Saddle is a much better alternative. Formerly a tiki bar and Deuces before that, the Saddle has one of the most iconic patios in all of Wrigleyville, complete with a small pool. Upstairs, you can find line dancing on Thursday nights. They also have a great happy hour deal with $8 margaritas. Address: 3505 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 Cheesie’s Pub: The famous Cheesie’s on Belmont Ave has opened up another location on Clark St, just in time for the 2026 baseball season. If you’re looking for an artery-clogging but absolutely delicious grilled cheese to wash down your beers at the ballpark, head over to Cheesie’s Eat and have a few more beers. Address: 3472 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 BONUS Dimo’s Pizza: If you’re pressed for time and looking for a quick bite, Dimo’s has you covered. The entire place is smaller than a restroom at Wrigley Field, and they don’t sell alcohol, but they have some of the wildest pizza slices you can think of. Some of my favorites include a Chicago hot dog, Korean bahn mi, and chicken alfredo. They also serve a wide selection of vegan slices. Address: 3463 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 If you're just looking for the regular stuff while in the stadium, below is a list of some of the most popular beers and where to find them inside Wrigley Field (once again, courtesy of Eater Chicago). Bud Light: Left Field Classics, Aisle 105; Chicago Dogs Left Field, Aisle 108; Chicago Dogs Third Base, Aisle 115; Chicago Dogs Right Field, Aisle 119; Addison Street Grill, Aisle 126; Pizza Right Field, Aisle 129; Sheffield Corner, Aisle 134; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324; Bleacher Bums, Upper Bleachers; Upper Deck Bars, Aisles 313 and 320; Retro Beer Cave, Aisle 512; Three Fingers, Aisles 514 and 515; Waveland/Red Line Grill, Lower Bleachers; Bud Bar, Lower Bleachers; Portables Concourse, Aisles 101, 121, 129, and 135; Portables Mezzanine, Aisles 203, 209, 214, 222, 226, 227, and 232; Jim Beam Upper Deck, Aisles 306 and 328; Portables Bleachers, Aisles 501, 506, 507, 514, 515, and 540 Corona: Beer & Wine, Aisles 107 and 118; Portables, Aisles 207, 214, 222, 228, 308, 326, 506, and 507 Heineken: Beer & Wine, Aisles 114 and 122; Portables, Aisles 207, 222, 226, 227, and 321 Michelob Ultra: Beer & Wine, Aisles 107 and 114; Mezzanine Portables, Aisles 207, 214, 228, and 232; Portables Upper Deck, Aisles 307, 308, 311, 312, 319, 321, 323, 326, and 327; Portables Bleachers, Aisles 507, 514, and 515; Pizza Left Field, Aisle 103; Third Base Classics, Aisle 110; Marquee Classics, Aisle 117; First Base Classics, Aisle 123; Right Field Classics, Aisle 128; Vienna Beef Grill, Aisle 131; Bud Bar, Lower Bleachers; Three Fingers Bar, Upper Bleachers; Bleacher Bars, Upper Bleachers And of course, Old Style: Beer & Wine, Aisle 107, 114, 118, and 122; Red Line Grill, Lower Bleachers Right Field; Portables Mezzanine, Aisle 207, 222, 228, and 232; Portable Upper Deck, Aisle 321 Fan Favorites at Wrigley Field This list was compiled thanks to the amazing information you all provided. Please continue to use this thread to share your own favorite experiences in and around Wrigley! The Statues: Around the grounds of Wrigley Field, you can find three statues dedicated to some of the most iconic members of the Cubs franchise: “Mr. Cub” himself, Ernie Banks, legendary announcer Harry Caray, and Hall of Famer Billy Williams adorn the different corners of Wrigley in bronze. Running the Bases: On Sundays with day games, kids get to run the bases for free, so be sure to bring the whole family out! Bleacher Shenanigans: During games, the fans out in the bleachers often find a way to spice things up even more beyond the game itself. From literal weddings to world-record cup stacking, if you can find your way to the bleachers during a game, you'll be sure to see something unique. More to come! Wrigley Field FAQs There are always basic questions that fans have regarding certain policies and measurements in place at the events they're attending. While there are some universal guidelines governing all of baseball for the sake of ballpark decorum and safety, every stadium always has its own unique set of rules, too. Below are some of the most commonly asked fan questions for those about to attend a baseball game at Wrigley Field (and here is a link to a complete information guide on Wrigley Field). Q: What are the differences in terms of the rules of the game between Wrigley Field and other ballparks? A: The full set of Wrigley Field ground rules can be found here, but some of the basics include: Fair ball entering vines [ivy] on the bleacher wall and rebounds onto the playing field: In Play. Fair ball striking railing [the home run baskets] or video screen attached to the bleacher wall and rebounding onto the playing field: In Play. A catch may be made on the field tarp (also known as the Rizzo Rule) Q: I'd really like to catch a home run, but my seats are in foul territory. Can I watch batting practice at Wrigley Field? A: Batting practice schedules and times vary before each home game and are at the discretion of either team - be sure to check before each game on social media via the teams' official accounts or their official MLB.com website for further information. For most games, gates will open 90 minutes prior to first pitch. Gates will open two hours before first pitch for Opening Day, Saturday games, and special occasions, unless otherwise specified by the Cubs. Q: What is the bag policy at Wrigley Field? A: All security measurements currently in place at Wrigley Field can be found here (the link is kept up-to-date by the Cubs and MLB). The bag policy is as follows for the 2025 season: “Bag restrictions are in place for the 2025 season. Backpacks (including clear backpacks), hard-sided coolers (regardless of size), and bags larger than 16 x 16 x 8 inches are NOT permitted at Wrigley Field. Other bags (such as wallets, purses, drawstring bags, fanny packs, lunch bags, briefcases, and soft-sided coolers) smaller than 16 x 16 x 8 inches in size are permitted. Exceptions will be made for medical bags and diaper bags that accompany guests with young children. Bags are subject to inspection.” NOTE: There are NO bag or luggage storage options available at Wrigley Field. Plan accordingly before heading to a game! Q: What other items are prohibited/allowed when attending a game? A: The Prohibited Item list is a long one, but the most common household items on the list are: Alcohol, marijuana, and all other “intoxicating and/or inebriating” substances Unmanned vehicles (e.g., drones), selfie sticks, and any and all other professional camera equipment (unless MLB or Chicago Cubs personnel, with the proper permits and ID verification). Also note that any videos or pictures captured by personal equipment may only be used for personal use and may not be distributed in any commercial sense. Firearms, weapons of any kind, and any “tool or item” that ballpark personnel deem dangerous to the safety of other fans and players And, of course, all offensive clothing, crafts, and displayable imagery are strictly prohibited from Wrigley Field grounds Q: What is the hotline/phone number I can reach out to if another fan is interfering with our experience at Wrigley Field? A: “Our fan text messaging service will continue to allow you to call our attention to issues in the ballpark without leaving your seat. If anyone is interfering with your enjoyment of Wrigley Field, please contact the nearest Wrigley Field associate for assistance, or text 773-207-2106 with the keyword "Friendly," including your seat location and a description of your issue. We will respond to your request as soon as possible. Standard message and data rates may apply.” Also note that if you need to reach another fan for emergency purposes, you can go to the Fan Services Booth on the main concourse behind home plate or call Fan Services at 800-THE-CUBS. Q: What is the Wi-Fi situation at Wrigley Field? A: Given the historic nature of the stadium, the speed of internet connectivity may be slower than in other ballparks. However, an expanded free Wi-Fi service powered by Xfinity is available throughout Wrigley Field using the network labeled "XfinityWifi@Wrigley" (no password required). Q: What are the accessibility features available at Wrigley Field? A: Again, you can find a full outline of all the accessibility features at Wrigley Field here, but the most important information is as follows: Accessible Parking: “Parking for persons with a valid disability license plate or placard is available on a game-by-game basis in the Toyota Camry Lot located at 1126 W. Grace St., Chicago, IL 60613. Spaces are subject to availability, and all fan parking in the Toyota Camry Lot is paid parking. We encourage guests with disabilities to reserve accessible parking in advance through the Wrigley Field Ticket Office by calling 800-THE-CUBS or emailing fanservices@cubs.com.” Accessible Seating: “Accessible seating sections are located throughout the ballpark near an elevator, lift, and/or ramp. Guests with mobility disabilities and up to three companions are encouraged to make their purchase in advance. Tickets are subject to availability and can be purchased at the Wrigley Field Ticket Office, by calling 800-THE-CUBS, emailing fanservices@cubs.com, or by visiting Cubs.com/Tickets.” Assistive Listening Devices: “Assistive listening devices are available for use, free of charge, from the Fan Services Booth located on the main concourse behind home plate. A form of identification must be left in exchange for the device [which will be promptly returned once the device is returned to the Fan Services Booth].” First Aid: “The Advocate Health Care First Aid station is located behind home plate on the main concourse. Signage identifies this area. A physician, a registered nurse, and emergency medical technicians are on hand for all games. Automated external defibrillator (AED) machines are located throughout the ballpark, including in First Aid. First Aid also includes a restroom and a dedicated nursing mothers' room.” Wheelchair Services: “For those individuals who require assistance from the gates to their seats, complimentary wheelchair service is available. Upon entering the ballpark, please ask a Wrigley Field associate for assistance. Guests who require wheelchair assistance will receive a ticket from their attendant to arrange a postgame pickup time. Wheelchair service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations are not accepted. Wheelchair assistance is provided only to and from the seating location and the gate, and wheelchairs are not permitted off the property. The Club does not provide storage for any personal belongings, including wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters.” And that, my dear friends, is all [for now]. This guide will continue to be updated as Wrigley evolves and us fans continue to discuss the best ways to experience the best stadium in baseball. Thank you to everyone who left comments and suggestions - this guide is truly one for the fans, by the fans.

We continue our look at the Chicago Cubs' top 20 prospects today, with our eighth-ranked prospect, outfielder Kane Kepley. For a quick refresher, make sure you check out our other articles in the series: Prospects #20-16 Prospects #15-11 Prospect #10 - James Triantos Prospect #9 - Josiah Hartshorn #8 - Kane Kepley (University of North Carolina) The Cubs selected the North Carolina native and former Tar Heel with the 52nd overall pick of the 2025 draft. The 22-year-old signed for $1.4 million and became the second outfielder the Cubs selected in as many rounds. The left-handed outfielder was viewed as a high-floor, defensive-minded player with plus speed. Standing at only 5-foot-8 and weighing 180 pounds, Kepley will not be among the Cubs’ power-hitting prospects, but is one of their best at putting the ball in play. He ranked as the 84th-best prospect in the draft, per mlb.com. What to Like The first aspect of Kepley’s game to highlight is the hit tool. As mentioned earlier, he's probably never going to be much of a home run threat, but he excels at making contact and getting on base. Originally a walk-on at Liberty, Kepley hit .310 with a .457 OBP as a freshman, then .330 with a .482 OBP as a sophomore. Upon transferring to UNC, Kepley slashed an impressive .291/.451/.444 against superior competition in the ACC. He has an excellent eye, and rarely swings and misses. Throughout his college career, he drew 136 walks with only 71 strikeouts. Last season with Low-A Myrtle Beach, he hit .299 with a .914 OPS in 131 plate appearances. He walked 25 times with only 15 strikeouts. According to mlb.com, Kepley is the only player in the pipeline except top prospect Moisés Ballesteros with a 60-grade hit tool. Competition will get much tougher as he works his way through the minors, but the bat has worked at every level for him so far. Kepley’s defense is another strength. He is a natural center fielder with great instincts. Although he doesn’t have the strongest arm, his plus speed allows him to track down difficult fly balls. His speed also translates to the bases as well. His 45 stolen bases in 2025 were good for fourth in all of Division I ball. Once he arrived in A ball, he swiped 16 bags in only 25 games. He should be able to use his contact ability plus his speed to beat out ground balls for infield hits and turn bloops into extra bases. He could fit the “table-setter” description perfectly. What to Work On The 5-foot-6 Jose Altuve has 255 career home runs, and has hit at least 30 twice in his career. We shouldn't, then, blame Kepley's lack of power entirely on his size. He has a flat swing and can hit the ball to all fields, but in 2025, he lifted the ball a bit more than a player without power should. Per FanGraphs, he had a 38.3% fly-ball rate, which is above the major-league average of 35%. For comparison's sake, let's take the fly-ball percentage of two very different hitters: Shohei Ohtani and Luis Arraez. Ohtani has a career fly-ball rate of 37.9%, while Arraez’s is 30.4%. Arraez has been the best high-contact, low-power player in baseball over the last half-decade, and is the type of hitter Kepley should strive to be. He will need to work on his launch angle to produce more line drives, though, and perhaps fewer unproductive, routine flies. What’s Next Kepley is currently with the Cubs in Arizona. In parts of eight games, he’s collected three hits in 12 at bats, walking twice. Last week against the Dodgers, he put his speed on display, legging out this triple on a well-hit ball in the gap. He will surely be sent to minor-league camp in the next week or so, and will continue to develop. He proved himself last season in Low A, though, and could find himself in High A or even Double A to begin the 2026 campaign. According to mlb.com, his major-league ETA is in 2028, which tracks for a college draftee who hasn't played even 30 professional games. By the time Kepley arrives, the outfield could look a lot different. Both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki are free agents after this season. Randy Arozarena looks like he will be the top free-agent outfielder in the 2027 class, at 32 years old. Kevin Alcántara and 2025 first-rounder Ethan Conrad will get chances to prove themselves before Kepley, but the point is, there will be room in this outfield for Kepley by the time he's ready—although center field is spoken for. It's not uncommon for hitters with three years of college experience to reach the majors quicker than they're projected to, when they first enter the pros. Should Kepley continue to hit for a high average and draw walks as he progresses through the minors, we could see him end up in Triple-A by the end of this season, potentially setting him up for a 2027 debut. There is some skepticism regarding Kepley's MLB future, mainly because of his size and lack of power, but even if he doesn't become a starter, his defensive prowess and speed would be a great asset off the bench.