March 4, 2026 | Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ | 2:05 PM CT | MLB Network, Marquee Sports Network
The Chicago Cubs face the Milwaukee Brewers in spring training today, and this one actually matters. NL Central rivals. Division matchup. And a chance to see how we stack up against a team that made the playoffs last year while we sat at home.
The Brewers went 85–77 and grabbed a Wild Card spot. We went 78–84 and missed the postseason again. That seven-game gap is what we’re trying to close with Tyler Glasnow, Jackson Merrill, and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Freddy Peralta throws gas with elite strikeout stuff. Glasnow has the same arsenal. Christian Yelich is still a productive veteran. Jackson Chourio is emerging as a legitimate star prospect. And William Contreras anchors their lineup behind the plate.
For Cubs fans, this is our chance to see whether the offseason moves actually closed the gap on division rivals like Milwaukee. Can we compete with a playoff team? Or are we still a step behind?
Where the Cubs Stand Heading Into the Season
2025 Record: 78–84
We’ve talked about it all spring—78–84, another missed playoff run, too many close games that slipped away. The front office responded by signing Tyler Glasnow to anchor the rotation and acquiring Jackson Merrill to solve shortstop.
This spring has shown those moves are working. Now we need to prove it against teams that actually made the playoffs.
Key Players:
- Tyler Glasnow (SP): Elite strikeout pitcher who’s been sharp all spring
- Jackson Merrill (SS): Smooth defender with developing bat, potential franchise cornerstone
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF): Elite defense and speed, showing offensive improvement
Top Prospects:
- Cade Horton (RHP): Pushing hard for a rotation spot
- Matt Shaw (INF): Versatile bat who’s impressed in Arizona
- Kevin Alcántara (OF): Toolsy outfielder still developing
Today’s another chance to evaluate our core against playoff-caliber competition. Glasnow should dominate. Merrill should continue building confidence. And our young guys should show they’re ready.
The Milwaukee Brewers: Still the Team to Beat in the Division
2025 Record: 85–77 (Wild Card)
Milwaukee made the playoffs last year behind strong pitching and timely hitting. They’re well-coached, fundamentally sound, and always competitive in the NL Central.
Key Players:
- Christian Yelich (OF): Former MVP, still productive when healthy
- William Contreras (C): Offensive-minded catcher who anchors the lineup
- Freddy Peralta (RHP): Strikeout machine with elite stuff, getting the start today
Top Prospects:
- Jackson Chourio (OF): Rising star with five-tool potential
- Robert Gasser (LHP): Pitching prospect with upside
- Brock Wilken (3B): Power bat in the minor league system
The Brewers are what we’re chasing in the division—consistent playoff contenders who develop pitching and execute fundamentals. They’ve made the postseason in seemingly every recent year, and we haven’t made it since 2020 (when it was a weird COVID-shortened season).
The Matchups That Define This Game
| Position | Cubs | Brewers |
|---|---|---|
| Shortstop | Jackson Merrill | Willy Adames |
| Center Field | Pete Crow-Armstrong | Jackson Chourio |
| Starting Pitcher | Tyler Glasnow | Freddy Peralta |
Jackson Merrill vs Willy Adames at Shortstop
Merrill is our new franchise shortstop trying to establish himself. Adames is a proven All-Star who hit 30+ homers last year. Merrill has the tools, but Adames is the more proven, established player right now.
Pete Crow-Armstrong vs Jackson Chourio in Center Field
Both are young, toolsy center fielders with upside. Crow-Armstrong has elite defense and speed. Chourio has more offensive upside and is closer to being a complete player. This is a fun matchup between two potential stars.
Tyler Glasnow vs Freddy Peralta on the Mound
Both throw gas with elite strikeout stuff. Glasnow has more velocity and experience. Peralta has proven himself as a playoff-caliber starter. This should be a quality pitching duel between two aces.
What the Cubs Need to See Today
Tyler Glasnow Dominates a Playoff-Caliber Lineup
Glasnow’s been excellent all spring. Today, he faces a Brewers lineup that made the playoffs last year. Three or four dominant innings with strikeouts would show he’s ready to be our ace against division rivals.
Jackson Merrill Competes With Willy Adames
Merrill doesn’t need to out-hit Adames (who hit 30+ homers last year). But he needs to show he belongs on the same field. Quality at-bats, smooth defense, smart baserunning. Prove you’re our long-term answer at short.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Shows Offensive Growth
PCA’s defense is already Gold Glove caliber. Against a team like Milwaukee that executes well, he needs to show the bat is catching up. Hard contact, smart approaches, aggressive baserunning.
Cade Horton or Matt Shaw Make Final Statements
If either gets innings, capitalize. Horton should dominate. Shaw needs to keep hitting. Final auditions before Opening Day rosters are finalized.
Compete With a Playoff Team
Milwaukee made the postseason last year. We didn’t. If we want to close that gap, we need to show we can compete with them—even in spring training. Win or lose, just compete and execute.
What the Brewers Will Bring
Freddy Peralta will pump mid-to-high 90s fastballs with a wipeout slider. Christian Yelich will work professional at-bats. William Contreras might crush one. Jackson Chourio will show why he’s a top prospect.
The Brewers’ organizational competence and playoff experience will test us. They’re well-coached, fundamentally sound, and know how to win. That’s been the difference between them and us for years.
Cubs vs Brewers: Division Rivals, Different Results
Both teams are in the NL Central. But Milwaukee made the playoffs last year (85–77) while we sat at home (78–84). That seven-game gap is what we’re trying to close.
The Brewers have been to the postseason multiple times in recent years. We haven’t made it since the weird 2020 COVID season. That’s the gap we need to bridge if we want to compete for division titles.
Today’s game shows whether our offseason moves closed that gap or if we’re still chasing Milwaukee’s level.
Cubs Fan Prediction: Close Game, Slight Edge to Milwaukee
Final Score: Brewers 5, Cubs 4
Tyler Glasnow throws four scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, showing he can dominate playoff-caliber lineups. Freddy Peralta matches him, keeping it tight early with elite strikeout stuff.
Jackson Merrill goes 2-for-3 with a double and looks every bit like a future star. Pete Crow-Armstrong makes a highlight-reel catch and legs out an infield single.
But the Brewers’ playoff experience shows late. Christian Yelich drives in a clutch run. William Contreras adds a solo homer. Jackson Chourio makes a key defensive play. And Milwaukee’s depth edges us by one.
We compete. We show flashes. But they’re the playoff team, and it shows in the late innings.
Why This Game Matters (Even Though It’s Spring Training)
We’re not chasing a Cactus League championship. We’re chasing validation that we can compete with division rivals who make the playoffs.
Can Tyler Glasnow dominate a Brewers lineup that reached the postseason? Will Jackson Merrill show he’s ready to compete with Willy Adames? Can our young core prove they’re ready to close the gap on Milwaukee?
The Brewers represent what we’re trying to become—consistent playoff contenders in the NL Central. They develop pitching, play fundamentally sound baseball, and execute in big moments. We need to get there.
Last season, 78–84 wasn’t good enough while Milwaukee went 85–77 and made the playoffs. That seven-game gap is what we’re trying to erase in 2026.
Go Cubs Go. Let’s show we can compete with division rivals.
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