February 24, 2026 | Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ | 2:05 PM CT | MLB Network, Marquee Sports Network
The Chicago Cubs host the San Diego Padres today, and this one actually has some star power. Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts are rolling into Mesa, which means our pitching staff gets a legitimate test against one of the most talented lineups in baseball.
Both teams underperformed last year—we went 78–84, they went 76–86—and both are trying to prove that 2026 will be different. The difference? They have three future Hall of Famers in their prime. We have Tyler Glasnow, Jackson Merrill, and a bunch of prospects hoping to become stars.
This is the kind of spring training game that matters. Can Glasnow dominate elite hitters? Will Merrill hold his own against Bogaerts? Can Pete Crow-Armstrong show he belongs in center field against a team with Tatis Jr.?
Let’s find out.
Where the Cubs Stand After Another Disappointing Year
2025 Record: 78–84
Last season sucked. We finished six games under .500, missed the playoffs again, and spent September playing meaningless baseball while watching other teams fight for October.
The front office responded by signing Tyler Glasnow—one of the most talented arms in baseball when healthy—and acquiring Jackson Merrill to finally solve our shortstop problem. Pete Crow-Armstrong is ready to prove he’s an everyday center fielder. And prospects like Cade Horton and Matt Shaw are knocking on the door.
Key Players:
- Tyler Glasnow (SP): Elite strikeout pitcher with injury concerns, needs to dominate today
- Jackson Merrill (SS): Smooth defender with a solid bat, potential franchise building block
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF): Elite defense and speed, needs to prove he can hit consistently
Top Prospects:
- Cade Horton (RHP): Could push for a rotation spot with a strong spring
- Matt Shaw (INF): Versatile infielder with offensive upside
- Kevin Alcántara (OF): Toolsy outfielder who needs to put it all together
Today, Tyler Glasnow takes the mound against a Padres lineup loaded with talent. This is exactly the kind of test we need to see. Can he carve up Tatis, Machado, and Bogaerts? Or will they expose him?
The San Diego Padres: Loaded with Talent, Still Underachieving
2025 Record: 76–86
The Padres have been one of the most frustrating teams in baseball. They have Fernando Tatis Jr., a generational talent when healthy. They have Manny Machado, a perennial All-Star. They have Xander Bogaerts, a proven winner with multiple championships.
And they still finished 76–86 and missed the playoffs.
Key Players:
- Fernando Tatis Jr. (OF): Five-tool superstar who can take over games
- Manny Machado (3B): Elite hitter and defender, future Hall of Famer
- Xander Bogaerts (SS): Consistent bat, championship pedigree
Top Prospects:
- Ethan Salas (C): One of the best catching prospects in baseball
- Dylan Lesko (RHP): Getting the start today, has frontline starter upside
- Jackson Merrill (wait, he’s ours now)
The Padres have the talent to compete for a World Series. The question is whether they can stay healthy and actually execute. Sound familiar? That’s basically where we are too.
The Matchups That Actually Matter
| Position | Cubs | Padres |
|---|---|---|
| Shortstop | Jackson Merrill | Xander Bogaerts |
| Center Field | Pete Crow-Armstrong | Fernando Tatis Jr. |
| Starting Pitcher | Tyler Glasnow | Dylan Lesko |
Jackson Merrill vs Xander Bogaerts at Shortstop
Merrill is our rising star trying to establish himself. Bogaerts is a proven champion with two World Series rings. This is a measuring-stick game for Merrill—can he compete with one of the best shortstops of his generation?
Pete Crow-Armstrong vs Fernando Tatis Jr. in Center
Crow-Armstrong’s defense is elite, but can he hit enough to be an everyday player? Tatis is a generational talent with 40-homer, 30-steal potential when healthy. The talent gap is obvious, but PCA needs to show he belongs on the same field.
Tyler Glasnow vs Dylan Lesko on the Mound
Glasnow is the established ace with elite strikeout stuff. Lesko is a young prospect with frontline potential. Glasnow should dominate, but against a lineup with Tatis, Machado, and Bogaerts, nothing’s guaranteed.
What the Cubs Need to See Today
Tyler Glasnow Dominates the Padres’ Stars
This is the test. Can Glasnow carve up Tatis Jr.? Can he make Machado look silly with his slider? Can he blow fastballs past Bogaerts? If he’s going to be our ace, he needs to dominate games like this—even in spring training.
Jackson Merrill Holds His Own
Merrill doesn’t need to out-hit Bogaerts. But he needs to show he can compete at this level. A couple of quality at-bats, hard contact, and smooth defense would be a win. We need to believe he’s the real deal.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Shows Offensive Growth
PCA’s defense is Gold Glove caliber. We know that. But can he hit enough to justify everyday playing time? Against a team with Tatis Jr. in center, PCA needs to show he’s more than just a defensive specialist.
Cade Horton or Matt Shaw Make an Impact
If either of these guys get innings, they need to capitalize. Horton should dominate if he pitches. Shaw needs to show his bat is ready. Spring training is their audition for Opening Day roster spots.
Don’t Get Embarrassed
The Padres have three future Hall of Famers in their lineup. We can’t stop them completely. But if Tatis, Machado, and Bogaerts combine to go 9-for-12 with three homers, that’s a problem. Make them work for everything.
What the Padres Will Bring (And Why They’re Dangerous)
Fernando Tatis Jr. will probably do something incredible—a moonshot homer, a stolen base, a diving catch. That’s what generational talents do. Manny Machado will get his hits. Xander Bogaerts will work counts and find gaps.
Dylan Lesko will be throwing max effort, trying to prove he’s ready for a big league rotation. If he’s sharp, he could give us problems early.
The Padres’ lineup is legitimately scary. When they’re clicking, they can score runs in bunches. Our pitching—Glasnow and whoever follows—needs to execute or this could get ugly.
Cubs vs Padres: Two Underachievers Trying to Prove Something
Both teams underperformed in 2025. Both have the talent to compete for the playoffs. And both are trying to establish an identity this spring.
The Padres have more proven stars. We have more young upside. They’re trying to stay healthy and maximize their championship window. We’re trying to develop our core and build something sustainable.
Spring training games show you where you are in that process. If we look competitive against a lineup with Tatis, Machado, and Bogaerts, that’s progress. If we get dominated, it’s a reality check.
Cubs Fan Prediction: Tight Game, We Steal It
Final Score: Cubs 6, Padres 5
Tyler Glasnow throws four scoreless innings, striking out Tatis Jr. twice and making Machado look silly on sliders. Dylan Lesko matches him early, keeping it scoreless through three.
In the middle innings, our young bats wake up. Jackson Merrill rips a double off the wall. Pete Crow-Armstrong legs out an infield single and steals second. Matt Shaw comes off the bench and drives in two runs with a clutch single.
The Padres fight back—Tatis launches a solo homer, Machado drives in two with a double—but our bullpen (led by guys auditioning for roster spots) executes in the late innings and we hold on for a one-run win.
It’s spring training, so the result doesn’t technically count. But beating a team with that much star power feels damn good regardless.
Why This Game Matters (Even in February)
We’re not chasing a Cactus League championship. We’re chasing validation that the offseason moves actually improved the roster.
Can Tyler Glasnow dominate elite hitters? Will Jackson Merrill become the franchise shortstop we desperately need? Can Pete Crow-Armstrong hit enough to be an everyday player? Are our prospects ready to contribute?
The Padres are asking whether their stars can finally stay healthy and deliver on their potential. We’re asking whether our young core can develop into stars.
Spring training is where those questions start getting answered. And against a lineup with Tatis Jr., Machado, and Bogaerts, we’ll learn a lot about where we actually stand.
Last season, 78–84 wasn’t good enough. Cubs fans are tired of “rebuilding” and “developing.” We want to compete. And today, we get a chance to show we can hang with the big boys.
Go Cubs Go!!! Let’s shock some people.