Chicago Cubs @ Cleveland Guardians – Series Preview (April 3-5): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs (3-3) split their first two series of the year at Wrigley Field and sit at the .500 mark as they head out on the road for the first time in 2026. They have been swinging back and forth between wins and losses in the opening six games, so Craig Counsell is hoping for some consistency when his team heads to Northeast Ohio for a three-game set with the Guardians starting Friday.
Cleveland (4-3) came out on top of a mediocre American League Central in 2025, edging the Tigers by a single game. The pitching staff was the strong suit of the team, with a 3.70 ERA as a unit during the 88-win campaign.
Gavin Williams emerged as the ace of the starting rotation last season, finishing with a 3.06 ERA. Tanner Bibee had a down season but still has stuff to be an elite starting pitcher anytime he takes the mound for the Guardians.
Cleveland’s once-outstanding bullpen took a big hit with closer Emmanuel Clase being indefinitely suspended for gambling. Cade Smith has moved into the role and they still have a very effective ‘pen, if not quite as good as the previous version.
Manager Stephen Vogt had a much tougher time with his lineup during 2025 with a not-nice .669 team OPS, the second worst in baseball. The power numbers weren’t much better, as their168 home runs also ranked in the bottom half of MLB.
Third baseman José Ramirez remains the most dangerous hitter in the Guardians lineup with 30 home runs last season. Steven Kwan is an excellent contact guy, and look out for Chase DeLauter, the young outfielder who has four home runs through the first seven games of the season.
This opponent will be a tougher one for the Cubs than either the Nationals or the Angels, but they are beatable. It would be nice to see consecutive quality performances to build a little momentum after an uneven beginning.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Friday, April 3 at 3:05pm CT on Marquee.
- Saturday, April 4 at 6:15pm CT on FOX.
- Sunday, April 5 at 12:40pm CT on Marquee.
Starting Pitchers (2025 numbers)
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 4/3 | Cade Horton | 24 | R | 2.67 | 11-4 | 3.58 | 2.94 |
| Joey Cantillo | 26 | L | 3.21 | 5–3 | 3.55 | 2.57 | |
| 4/4 | Shōta Imanaga | 32 | L | 3.73 | 9-8 | 4.86 | 4.50 |
| Slade Cecconi | 26 | R | 4.30 | 7-7 | 4.64 | 3.41 | |
| 4/5 | Edward Cabrera | 27 | R | 3.53 | 8-7 | 3.83 | 3.13 |
| Parker Messick | 25 | L | 2.72 | 3-1 | 2.98 | 6.33 |
What to Watch For
- Ian Happ leads the Cubs with three home runs through six games of the season.
- Cabrera and Horton each pitched brilliantly in their first turn through the rotation.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong will likely hit lower in the order against the two left-handed starters.
