So, the Dodgers just won another World Series. If you’re a Cubs fan, you’re probably looking at that highlight reel from Toronto last fall and wondering when it’s finally going to be your turn again. Honestly, the gap between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs feels wider than ever right now, but that’s exactly why these matchups matter. It isn't just a regular-season game; it’s a measurement of where the "lovable losers" (who aren't really losers anymore) stand against the most expensive machine in sports history.
You've got the Dodgers coming off their second straight title. They are the behemoth. Then you have the Cubs, who just dropped a bag to bring Alex Bregman to Wrigleyville yesterday. The front office is finally pushing chips into the middle.
What’s Actually Happening in 2026?
Let’s talk about the immediate news. Just yesterday, January 13, 2026, the Cubs claimed Justin Dean off waivers from the Giants. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he was technically a World Series champion with the Dodgers just a few months ago. He’s a speed-and-defense guy who didn’t get many at-bats in LA because, well, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts exist. But it shows the strategy here. Chicago is trying to steal a bit of that Dodgers "depth magic" while they prepare for Spring Training next month at Camelback Ranch.
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The first time we see Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs in 2026 will be February 28th in Glendale. It's Cactus League, sure. But for guys like Matt Shaw—who’s now shifting to a utility role because of the Bregman signing—it’s everything.
The Ohtani Factor and the Japanese Connection
The 2025 season opened in Tokyo, and it basically set the tone for the entire year. Everyone remembers Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Shota Imanaga. It was the first time two Japanese-born starters faced off on Opening Day. Yamamoto got the win, and the Dodgers took it 4-1.
Ohtani didn't even pitch that day, but he did what he always does. He scorched a 107 mph single to get the season going. Cubs fans have a weird relationship with Shohei. There was that brief window where we all thought he might actually pick Chicago. He didn't. Instead, he stayed in SoCal and turned the Dodgers into a perennial 100-win juggernaut.
When the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs series moved to Wrigley in April 2025, things got weird. The Cubs actually blew the doors off the Dodgers in one of those games, winning 16-0. It was one of those classic Chicago days where the wind is howling out and every fly ball becomes a home run. But then LA came back and won the series later in April.
Why This Isn't Just Another Game
Rivalries usually need proximity. Dodgers-Giants? That’s blood. Cubs-Cardinals? Pure hate. But Dodgers-Cubs is different. It’s a "prestige" rivalry.
Think back to the 2016 NLCS. That was the peak. The Cubs had to go through Clayton Kershaw to break the curse. Since then, the Dodgers have basically become what the Cubs wanted to be: a team with a bottomless payroll that also has a top-five farm system. It’s frustrating.
The Cubs are losing Kyle Tucker to free agency right now—he’s likely heading to a contender, maybe even the Dodgers if they feel like spending another $300 million. Losing a star like Tucker while watching LA keep guys like Teoscar Hernandez and Freddie Freeman just adds fuel to the fire.
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The Roster Breakdown: Who’s Actually Playing?
If the season started today, the Dodgers lineup is terrifying.
Mookie Betts is still holding down shortstop.
Freddie Freeman is at first.
Will Smith behind the plate.
And Shohei Ohtani as the DH, likely coming off a season where he hit 50+ homers again.
The Cubs look different than they did a year ago.
Pete Crow-Armstrong is the defensive anchor in center field.
Seiya Suzuki is the heart of the order.
And now, Alex Bregman at third base changes the entire gravity of the infield.
The pitching matchup everyone wants to see again is Shota Imanaga against the Dodgers' stars. Shota has this high-spin fastball that some of the LA hitters—especially the lefties—struggled with last year. He’s the Cubs’ best chance to neutralize Ohtani.
The 2026 Schedule: Mark Your Calendars
MLB released the 2026 schedule, and there are a few dates you need to circle if you're planning a trip.
- February 28, 2026: Spring Training opener in Glendale. First look at Bregman in a Cubs jersey against the champs.
- The "Rivalry Weekend" Window: While the Dodgers play the Angels in mid-May, the momentum from those games usually carries into the next big National League series.
- The Summer Series: Usually, late July or August is when the Cubs host LA at Wrigley. There is nothing like a 1:20 PM start on a Friday with Ohtani in the building.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think the Dodgers just buy their wins. They don't. They out-scout everyone. Look at a guy like Michael Busch. The Cubs traded for him because the Dodgers had too many good players. Busch turned into a 140 wRC+ monster for Chicago.
That’s the secret to the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs dynamic. The Cubs are basically trying to build "Dodgers East." They’re hiring the same type of analysts, targeting the same type of versatile players, and now they’re finally spending the same type of money.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re betting on these games or just watching as a fan, pay attention to the bullpens. In the 2025 Tokyo opener, the Dodgers' bullpen threw four hitless innings to close it out. That’s where the games are won. The Cubs have been rebuilding their relief core with guys like Porter Hodge and Hunter Harvey, but they aren't quite at that "Dodgers level" of shutdown depth yet.
Also, keep an eye on the second base situation for LA. With Tommy Edman or Hyeseong Kim likely splitting time, the Cubs actually have an advantage there with Nico Hoerner (assuming they don't trade him to the Dodgers, which is a rumor that won't die).
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Tickets: If you want to see the Dodgers at Wrigley, buy them the day the single-game tickets drop. Prices for Ohtani games are roughly 40% higher than a standard Tuesday against the Marlins.
- Watching: If you're out of market, MLB.TV is still the move, but remember the blackout rules for Friday night Apple TV+ games. LA and Chicago are almost always on the national broadcast schedule.
- Roster Moves: Watch the waiver wire this month. The Justin Dean claim is just the start. The Cubs are looking for "marginal gains" to close the gap on the NL West leaders.
The gap is closing. With Bregman in Chicago and the Dodgers trying to maintain a dynasty, the 2026 series is going to be more than just a mid-summer distraction. It’s a preview of the October we all want to see.
Check the official MLB site for the specific 2026 regular-season start times once Spring Training concludes in March.