March 2, 2026 | Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ | 2:05 PM CT | MLB Network, Marquee Sports Network
The Chicago Cubs wrap up another Sloan Park series today against the Cincinnati Reds, and this one’s actually interesting. Both teams are NL Central rivals trying to figure out if their young cores can push them into contention.
The Reds have Elly De La Cruz, who’s already a bonafide star—one of the most electric players in baseball with 30-30 potential and jaw-dropping athleticism. We have Jackson Merrill, who’s trying to become our version of that at shortstop.
Hunter Greene throws 100 mph with nasty breaking stuff. Tyler Glasnow has elite strikeout ability and playoff experience. This should be a quality pitching matchup.
For Cubs fans, this is our chance to see how our new core stacks up against a division rival that’s slightly ahead of us in their rebuild. Can Merrill compete with De La Cruz? Will Glasnow dominate Greene’s lineup? Can our young guys show they’re ready?
Where the Cubs Stand After a Strong Spring
2025 Record: 78–84
We’ve talked about last season’s disappointment all spring—78–84, another missed playoff run, too many winnable games that slipped away. The front office responded by signing Tyler Glasnow and acquiring Jackson Merrill.
This spring has shown us those moves are working. Now we need to prove it against division rivals.
Key Players:
- Tyler Glasnow (SP): Elite strikeout pitcher who’s been sharp all spring
- Jackson Merrill (SS): Smooth defender with developing bat, our potential franchise shortstop
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF): Elite defense and speed, showing offensive growth
Top Prospects:
- Cade Horton (RHP): Pushing hard for a rotation spot
- Matt Shaw (INF): Versatile bat who’s had a productive spring
- Kevin Alcántara (OF): Toolsy outfielder still developing
Today’s another chance to evaluate our core against quality competition. Glasnow should dominate. Merrill should continue developing. And our young guys should show they’re ready for Opening Day.
The Cincinnati Reds: Young, Exciting, and Dangerous
2025 Record: 73–89
The Reds were bad last year, but they’re building something interesting. Elly De La Cruz is already a star—67 stolen bases last year with 25 homers. Hunter Greene throws triple-digit heat. Matt McLain is a solid young infielder.
Key Players:
- Elly De La Cruz (SS): Dynamic five-tool player, already one of baseball’s most exciting talents
- Hunter Greene (RHP): Triple-digit fastball with elite strikeout stuff
- Matt McLain (INF): Solid bat and glove who complements De La Cruz
Top Prospects:
- Noelvi Marte (INF): Fighting for playing time
- Cam Collier (3B): Power bat with developmental upside
- Rhett Lowder (RHP): Pitching prospect who could contribute soon
The Reds are what we’re trying to become—a team with a franchise superstar (De La Cruz) surrounded by developing talent. They’re not contenders yet, but they’re closer than we are.
The Matchups That Actually Matter
| Position | Cubs | Reds |
|---|---|---|
| Shortstop | Jackson Merrill | Elly De La Cruz |
| Center Field | Pete Crow-Armstrong | TJ Friedl |
| Starting Pitcher | Tyler Glasnow | Hunter Greene |
Jackson Merrill vs Elly De La Cruz at Shortstop
This is the story of the game. De La Cruz is already a proven star—67 steals, 25 homers, ridiculous athleticism. Merrill is trying to prove he can eventually reach that level. This is a measuring-stick game for our top acquisition.
Pete Crow-Armstrong vs TJ Friedl in Center
Crow-Armstrong has elite defense and speed but needs to prove he can hit consistently. Friedl is solid and professional. PCA has higher upside, but Friedl is the safer, more proven player right now.
Tyler Glasnow vs Hunter Greene on the Mound
Both throw gas with elite strikeout stuff. Glasnow has more experience and command. Greene has more raw velocity. This should be a fun pitching duel between two quality starters.
What the Cubs Need to See Today
Tyler Glasnow Dominates One More Time
Glasnow’s been excellent all spring. Today, he faces a Reds lineup with legitimate talent—De La Cruz, McLain, and others who can punish mistakes. Three or four scoreless innings with strikeouts would cap off a strong spring.
Jackson Merrill Competes With Elly De La Cruz
Merrill doesn’t need to out-hit De La Cruz (that’s unrealistic—De La Cruz is already a star). 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 shortstop.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Shows Offensive Growth
PCA’s defense is Gold Glove caliber. Against a team like Cincinnati with dynamic players who can exploit weaknesses, 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 set.
Finish Spring Training Strong
No injuries. Clean execution. Look like a team ready for the regular season. We’ve had a solid spring—let’s end it by competing well against a division rival.
What the Reds Will Bring
Elly De La Cruz will do something ridiculous—a stolen base, a laser throw from short, maybe a moonshot homer. That’s what generational talents do. Hunter Greene will pump 100 mph fastballs and challenge our hitters. Matt McLain will work professional at-bats.
The Reds’ young core is more developed than ours right now. De La Cruz is already a star. Greene is an established starter. They’re closer to competing, and it’ll probably show today.
Cubs vs Reds: NL Central Rivals, Different Timelines
Both teams finished below .500 last year (we went 78–84, they went 73–89). But the Reds are further along because they have their franchise superstar in De La Cruz. We’re hoping Merrill becomes that for us.
This is a division rivalry that’ll matter more in the coming years. If both young cores develop, Cubs vs Reds could be a legitimate playoff race matchup by 2027 or 2028.
Today’s game shows where both teams are in that process.
Cubs Fan Prediction: Close Game, Slight Edge to Cincinnati
Final Score: Reds 6, Cubs 5
Tyler Glasnow throws four solid innings with six strikeouts, showing he can compete with elite lineups. Hunter Greene matches him, keeping it scoreless early with triple-digit heat.
Jackson Merrill goes 2-for-3 with a double and looks competitive against De La Cruz’s defense. Pete Crow-Armstrong makes a highlight-reel catch and legs out an infield single.
But Elly De La Cruz does what stars do—crushes a two-run homer, steals two bases, makes a ridiculous defensive play. The Reds’ depth and star power take over late, and they edge us by one.
We compete. We show flashes. But they’re slightly ahead of us in their development, and it shows.
Why This Game Matters (Even Though It’s Spring Training)
We’re not chasing a Cactus League championship. We’re chasing validation that we’re closing the gap on teams like Cincinnati.
Can Jackson Merrill compete with Elly De La Cruz? Will Tyler Glasnow dominate a talented Reds lineup? Can our young core show they’re ready for the regular season?
The Reds represent where we want to be—a team with a franchise superstar surrounded by developing talent. They found their guy in De La Cruz. We’re hoping Merrill becomes that for us.
Spring training is over after today. The games start counting for real soon. And we need to prove that 2026 will be better than 2025.
Go Cubs Go. Let’s finish spring strong and get ready to compete in the NL Central.
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