Right now, if you are looking for the score of the Chicago Cubs baseball game, you're probably staring at a big, fat zero. Or maybe a blank screen. It’s January 18, 2026, and unless there’s a secret winter league game happening in a climate-controlled bubble I don't know about, there isn't a live score to report.
Baseball is in its deep sleep.
But honestly? This is the most "active" the North Side has felt in January since the 2016 World Series hangover. While the scoreboard at Wrigley Field is currently dark and likely covered in a light dusting of Lake Michigan frost, the "internal" score for the Cubs organization is skyrocketing.
If you're a die-hard, you know the real game isn't played on the grass right now. It’s played in the front office.
Why the Cubs are already "winning" in 2026
The last time we saw a meaningful score of the Chicago Cubs baseball game, it was the heartbreak of the 2025 National League Division Series. They lost that series to the Brewers, finishing a solid 92-70 season that felt like it ended about three weeks too early.
But forget last year.
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The 2026 Chicago Cubs season doesn't officially kick off until March 26, 2026, against the Washington Nationals. However, if we were scoring the offseason? Jed Hoyer just hit a grand slam.
The Alex Bregman Factor
Basically, the biggest "score" this winter was the five-year, $175 million deal for Alex Bregman. I’m not even kidding. For years, the Cubs have been searching for that definitive, "I’ve been there" championship veteran who can still actually hit a 98-mph heater. Bregman is that guy.
Last week, during his introduction at Wrigley, he was standing there with Scott Boras and Jed Hoyer, looking like a man ready to take over the hot corner. Third base was a black hole for the Cubs last year—ranking 29th in the league for OPS. Bringing in a guy with over 200 career home runs and two World Series rings?
That's how you change the culture.
Looking ahead to the first scores of 2026
You won't have to wait until April to see a digit on the scoreboard. Spring Training is creeping up fast. The Cubs are heading back to Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, and the first "official" unofficial score of the Chicago Cubs baseball game will happen on February 20, 2026.
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They open up the Cactus League against the White Sox.
It’s always a weird vibe, isn't it? The Crosstown Classic in February. Half the starters are out by the third inning, replaced by guys wearing numbers like 94 who you’ve never heard of. But that’s the beauty of it. You’re watching the future of the farm system while sitting in 75-degree weather.
Key Dates for Your Calendar:
- February 20: Spring Training Opener vs. White Sox.
- March 26: Opening Day at Wrigley Field vs. the Nationals.
- May 15-17: The first real-deal Crosstown series on the South Side.
- July 31: The Yankees come to town (mark this one, it’ll be a tough ticket).
The rotation is looking... scary?
If you're worried about the pitching, the recent trade for Edward Cabrera from the Marlins is a game-changer. The guy throws absolute gas. We're talking 97 mph with whiff rates that make hitters look like they're swinging underwater.
Pairing him with Shota Imanaga gives the Cubs a one-two punch that actually feels sustainable. Cabrera has had some health issues in the past, sure. But at 23, the ceiling is basically the roof of the Sears Tower (I refuse to call it Willis).
What to do while the scoreboard is empty
Waiting for the score of the Chicago Cubs baseball game is a test of patience. The Cubs Convention just wrapped up this weekend at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, and the energy was electric. Seeing Anthony Rizzo back on stage with the 2016 trophy was a nice nostalgia trip, but the talk was all about 2026.
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Craig Counsell basically said it best: they gave the fans five playoff games last year, and now they want three more weeks of it.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve before the first pitch in Mesa, keep an eye on the remaining free-agent pool. Rumors are swirling about a potential reunion with Kyle Tucker or maybe adding a veteran arm like Ranger Suarez.
The roster isn't "done" yet.
Get your tickets for the March 26 opener now if you haven't. Prices are already starting to climb, with some bleacher seats hovering around $120. It's going to be a cold one, but with this lineup, the bats might just keep the ivy warm.
Keep your eyes on the Cactus League updates starting in about four weeks. That's when the "real" scores start counting—at least in our hearts.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the official MLB app or the Cubs' website to sync the 2026 schedule to your digital calendar. This ensures you never miss a start time, especially for those West Coast trips in late April against the Dodgers and Padres. If you're planning a trip to Arizona for Spring Training, book your flights now—Mesa gets packed the moment the equipment trucks leave Wrigleyville.