{"id":417587,"date":"2026-03-11T05:16:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T10:16:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/?p=417587"},"modified":"2026-03-11T05:16:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T10:16:38","slug":"cubs-vs-royals-spring-training-prediction-game-today-march-11-merrill-vs-witt-jr-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/cubs-vs-royals-spring-training-prediction-game-today-march-11-merrill-vs-witt-jr-showdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Cubs vs Royals Spring Training Prediction Game Today March 11: Merrill vs Witt Jr. Showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

March 11, 2026 | Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ | 2:05 PM CT | MLB Network, Marquee Sports Network<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Chicago Cubs<\/strong> host the Kansas City Royals at Sloan Park today, and this is actually an interesting matchup. Both teams finished below .500 last year\u2014we went 78\u201384, they went 71\u201391. Both are building around young talent. And both are trying to figure out if 2026 is the year they take the next step.<\/p>\n

The difference? The Royals already have their franchise superstar in Bobby Witt Jr.\u201430-30 guy, elite defender, MVP candidate. We’re hoping Jackson Merrill becomes our version of that.<\/p>\n

Brady Singer is a solid major league starter. Tyler Glasnow is our new ace. Salvador P\u00e9rez is a future Hall of Famer. Pete Crow-Armstrong is trying to prove he’s an everyday player.<\/p>\n

For Cubs fans, this is another measuring-stick game. Can we compete with a team that has a legitimate franchise cornerstone? Will Merrill show he can hang with Witt Jr.? Can our young core match theirs?<\/p>\n

Where the Cubs Stand With Spring Winding Down<\/h2>\n

2025 Record: 78\u201384<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another disappointing season. Another missed playoff run. The front office responded by signing Tyler Glasnow<\/strong> and acquiring Jackson Merrill<\/strong>. Spring training has shown those moves are working.<\/p>\n

Key Players:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Tyler Glasnow (SP):<\/strong> Elite strikeout pitcher who’s been dominant all spring<\/li>\n
  • Jackson Merrill (SS):<\/strong> Smooth defender with developing bat, our franchise shortstop<\/li>\n
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF):<\/strong> Elite defense and speed, showing offensive improvement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Top Prospects:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Cade Horton (RHP):<\/strong> Earned a rotation spot with strong spring<\/li>\n
    • Matt Shaw (INF):<\/strong> Versatile bat who’s impressed<\/li>\n
    • Kevin Alc\u00e1ntara (OF):<\/strong> Toolsy outfielder still developing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Spring training is almost over. Today’s another chance to evaluate our core against quality competition before Opening Day.<\/p>\n

      The Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr. and Everyone Else<\/h2>\n

      2025 Record: 71\u201391<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Kansas City lost 91 games, but they’re building something around Bobby Witt Jr. He’s already a superstar\u201430 homers, 30 steals, elite defense, franchise cornerstone. Everything we hope Merrill becomes, Witt already is.<\/p>\n

      Key Players:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Bobby Witt Jr. (SS):<\/strong> Superstar, 30-30 guy, one of baseball’s best young players<\/li>\n
      • Salvador P\u00e9rez (C):<\/strong> Future Hall of Famer, veteran leader<\/li>\n
      • Brady Singer (RHP):<\/strong> Consistent starter with solid stuff<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Top Prospects:<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Cayden Wallace (3B):<\/strong> Developmental third baseman<\/li>\n
        • Ben Kudrna (RHP):<\/strong> Pitching prospect with upside<\/li>\n
        • Carter Jensen (C):<\/strong> Young catcher in the system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          The Royals are what we’re trying to become\u2014rebuilding team with a legitimate franchise superstar who changes everything.<\/p>\n

          The Matchups That Define This Game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
          Position<\/th>\nCubs<\/th>\nRoyals<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
          Shortstop<\/td>\nJackson Merrill<\/td>\nBobby Witt Jr.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          Center Field<\/td>\nPete Crow-Armstrong<\/td>\nKyle Isbel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
          Starting Pitcher<\/td>\nTyler Glasnow<\/td>\nBrady Singer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

          Jackson Merrill vs Bobby Witt Jr. at Shortstop<\/strong>
          \nThis is the story of the game. Witt is already an MVP candidate\u201430-30 guy with elite defense and clutch hitting. Merrill is trying to prove he can eventually reach that level. The gap is enormous right now, but Merrill can show he’s on the right developmental path.<\/p>\n

          Pete Crow-Armstrong vs Kyle Isbel in Center<\/strong>
          \nCrow-Armstrong has elite defense and speed. Isbel is solid and professional. PCA has higher upside, but Isbel is the more proven, reliable player right now.<\/p>\n

          Tyler Glasnow vs Brady Singer on the Mound<\/strong>
          \nBoth are quality starters. Glasnow has more velocity and strikeout ability. Singer has consistency and durability. This should be a quality pitching matchup.<\/p>\n

          What the Cubs Need to See Today<\/h2>\n

          Tyler Glasnow Continues His Strong Spring<\/strong>
          \nGlasnow’s been excellent all spring. Against a Royals lineup with quality hitters, he should continue dominating. Three or four innings with strikeouts and sharp command.<\/p>\n

          Jackson Merrill Competes With Bobby Witt Jr.<\/strong>
          \nMerrill doesn’t need to out-hit Witt (unrealistic\u2014Witt’s an MVP candidate). But he needs to show he belongs on the same field. Quality at-bats, smooth defense, competitive play.<\/p>\n

          Pete Crow-Armstrong Shows Offensive Growth<\/strong>
          \nPCA’s defense is already elite. He needs to keep showing the bat is catching up. Hard contact, smart approaches, aggressive baserunning against Kansas City’s pitching.<\/p>\n

          Young Guys Keep Impressing<\/strong>
          \nHorton, Shaw, and Alc\u00e1ntara should all look good. Spring training is almost over\u2014finish strong.<\/p>\n

          Compete With a Team That Has a Superstar<\/strong>
          \nThe Royals have Bobby Witt Jr.\u2014a franchise-changing player. If we can compete with them, it shows we’re progressing even without that level of star power yet.<\/p>\n

          What Kansas City Will Bring<\/h2>\n

          Bobby Witt Jr. will do something spectacular because that’s what superstars do\u2014clutch hit, stolen base, diving play. Brady Singer will challenge our hitters with consistent stuff. Salvador P\u00e9rez might crush one because he’s still productive.<\/p>\n

          The Royals’ young core is further along because they have Witt. That one player makes all the difference.<\/p>\n

          Cubs Fan Prediction: Close Game, Could Go Either Way<\/h2>\n

          Final Score: Cubs 5, Royals 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Tyler Glasnow throws four scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, continuing his dominant spring. Brady Singer matches him with consistent, quality pitching.<\/p>\n

          Jackson Merrill goes 2-for-3 with a double and looks ready for Opening Day. Pete Crow-Armstrong makes a highlight-reel catch and legs out two infield singles. Matt Shaw drives in the go-ahead run with a clutch single.<\/p>\n

          Bobby Witt Jr. goes 2-for-4 with a stolen base and shows why he’s a superstar. But our depth and Glasnow’s dominance give us a one-run win.<\/p>\n

          It’s close. It’s competitive. And we edge a team with a legitimate franchise star.<\/p>\n

          Why This Game Matters<\/h2>\n

          Spring training is almost over. Opening Day is approaching. And games like this against teams with franchise cornerstones show where we are.<\/p>\n

          The Royals have Bobby Witt Jr.\u2014everything changes when you have a player that good. We’re hoping Jackson Merrill becomes our version of that. Today shows how far Merrill has to go.<\/p>\n

          Both teams finished below .500 last year. Both are rebuilding. The question is which team takes the next step in 2026.<\/p>\n

          Go Cubs Go!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          March 11, 2026 | Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ | 2:05 PM CT | MLB Network, Marquee Sports Network The Chicago Cubs host the Kansas City Royals at Sloan…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2279,"featured_media":417588,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16757],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-417587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\nCubs vs Royals Spring Training Prediction Game Today March 11: Merrill vs Witt Jr. Showdown | UrbanMatter<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/cubs-vs-royals-spring-training-prediction-game-today-march-11-merrill-vs-witt-jr-showdown\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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