March 6, 2026 | Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ | 2:05 PM CT | MLB Network, Marquee Sports Network
The Chicago Cubs host the San Diego Padres at Sloan Park today, and this is a fun matchup. They have Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado—two superstars. We have Tyler Glasnow, Jackson Merrill, and Pete Crow-Armstrong—our new core trying to prove they can compete.
The Padres went 83–79 last year and narrowly missed the playoffs. We went 78–84 and also sat at home. That five-game gap is what we’re trying to close with our offseason moves.
Yu Darvish is a crafty veteran with elite stuff. Glasnow has strikeout ability and playoff experience. This should be a quality pitching matchup. And with Tatis Jr. in the lineup, there’s always the potential for something spectacular to happen.
For Cubs fans, this is another chance to see whether our young core can compete with star-powered teams like San Diego. Can Merrill hold his own against Machado? Will Crow-Armstrong show he’s ready to be an everyday player? Can Glasnow dominate the Padres’ talented lineup?
Where the Cubs Stand After the Offseason
2025 Record: 78–84
We’ve talked about it all spring—another disappointing season, another missed playoff run. The front office responded by signing Tyler Glasnow and acquiring Jackson Merrill. Spring training has shown those moves are working.
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): Earned a rotation spot with strong performances
- Matt Shaw (INF): Versatile bat who’s impressed coaches
- Kevin Alcántara (OF): Toolsy outfielder still developing
Today’s another evaluation against quality competition. Glasnow should dominate. Merrill should keep building confidence. And our young guys should show they’re ready for Opening Day.
The San Diego Padres: Star Power and Talent
2025 Record: 83–79
The Padres narrowly missed the playoffs last year despite having one of the most talented rosters in baseball. Fernando Tatis Jr. is a legitimate superstar when healthy. Manny Machado is a perennial All-Star. Yu Darvish anchors the rotation with experience and elite stuff.
Key Players:
- Fernando Tatis Jr. (OF): Dynamic star with 40-homer, 30-steal potential
- Manny Machado (3B/SS): Future Hall of Famer, elite hitter and defender
- Yu Darvish (RHP): Crafty veteran with multiple elite pitches
Top Prospects:
- Ethan Salas (C): One of baseball’s most exciting young catching prospects
- Dylan Lesko (RHP): Pitching prospect with frontline upside
The Padres have star power and talent. The question is whether they can put it all together and actually make the playoffs. Sound familiar? That’s basically where we are too.
The Matchups That Matter Today
| Position | Cubs | Padres |
|---|---|---|
| Shortstop | Jackson Merrill | Manny Machado |
| Center Field | Pete Crow-Armstrong | Fernando Tatis Jr. |
| Starting Pitcher | Tyler Glasnow | Yu Darvish |
Jackson Merrill vs Manny Machado
Merrill is our new franchise shortstop trying to establish himself. Machado is a future Hall of Famer who does everything at an elite level. Merrill has the tools, but Machado is the proven, established superstar.
Pete Crow-Armstrong vs Fernando Tatis Jr.
Both are athletic, toolsy outfielders. Crow-Armstrong has elite defense and speed. Tatis has ridiculous power and game-changing ability. When both are healthy, Tatis is the far superior player—but PCA’s developmental trajectory is encouraging.
Tyler Glasnow vs Yu Darvish on the Mound
Both are elite starters with multiple plus pitches. Glasnow has more velocity and strikeout ability. Darvish has experience, deception, and a deeper pitch arsenal. This should be a quality pitching duel.
What the Cubs Need to See Today
Tyler Glasnow Dominates One More Time
Glasnow’s been excellent all spring. Today, against a Padres lineup with legitimate star power, he needs another dominant performance. Three or four scoreless innings with strikeouts would cap off a perfect spring.
Jackson Merrill Competes With Manny Machado
Merrill doesn’t need to out-hit Machado (that’s unrealistic—Machado’s a future Hall of Famer). But he needs to show he belongs on the same field. Quality at-bats, smooth defense, smart baserunning.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Shows He’s Ready
PCA’s defense is already Gold Glove caliber. Against a team like San Diego with dynamic players, he needs to show the bat is catching up. Hard contact, aggressive baserunning, smart approaches.
Young Guys Finish Strong
Horton, Shaw, and Alcántara have all impressed this spring. One final strong showing today solidifies roster spots and sends everyone to Chicago with confidence.
Compete With Star-Powered Teams
The Padres have Tatis Jr. and Machado—two legitimate superstars. If we can compete with them, it shows our young core is progressing.
What San Diego Will Bring
Fernando Tatis Jr. will do something spectacular—a moonshot homer, a stolen base, maybe a diving catch. Manny Machado will work professional at-bats and make everything look easy. Yu Darvish will challenge our hitters with deception and multiple elite pitches.
The Padres’ star power and talent will test us. They know how to compete, and they have the horses to overwhelm teams that aren’t executing.
Cubs Fan Prediction: Competitive Game, Close Finish
Final Score: Padres 6, Cubs 4
Tyler Glasnow throws four scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, dominating one final time before Opening Day. Yu Darvish matches him with crafty pitching and deception.
Jackson Merrill goes 2-for-3 with a double and looks ready for the regular season. Pete Crow-Armstrong makes an incredible catch and legs out an infield single.
But Fernando Tatis Jr. does what superstars do—crushes a two-run homer that changes the game. Manny Machado adds clutch hits. The Padres’ star power takes over late, and they edge us by two.
We compete. We show we’re close. But they have Tatis and Machado, and that’s the difference.
Why This Game Matters
Spring training is basically over. The real games start soon. And this matchup shows whether our young core can compete with star-powered teams.
Can Tyler Glasnow dominate lineups with Tatis Jr. and Machado? Will Jackson Merrill show he’s ready to be our franchise shortstop? Can Pete Crow-Armstrong prove he’s becoming a complete player?
The Padres have the star power. We’re building something sustainable with Glasnow, Merrill, and our young core. Today’s game shows where both teams are heading into 2026.
Last season, we both finished below .500 and missed the playoffs. The question is whether either team can take the next step in 2026.
Go Cubs Go. Let’s compete with the stars and get ready for Opening Day.