Cubs Crush Brewers 12-0 in Dominant Opening Day Lineup Showing

Chicago's starters shine in final spring training tuneup ahead of regular season

Mar. 23, 2026 at 1:38am

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The Chicago Cubs took down their NL Central rival Milwaukee Brewers 12-0 in a spring training matchup on Sunday at Sloan Park. Manager Craig Counsell used what is expected to be his Opening Day lineup, and they delivered a dominant performance, led by a strong outing from starting pitcher Cade Horton and home runs from Alex Bregman and Ian Happ.

Why it matters

The lopsided win showcases the depth and talent of the Cubs' roster heading into the 2026 season, as they look to compete in the NL Central after missing the playoffs in 2025. The performance of the projected starters is an encouraging sign for the team's outlook.

The details

Chicago jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning, with RBI hits from Moisés Ballesteros and Dansby Swanson. The Cubs then extended the advantage to 5-0 in the 3rd on back-to-back home runs from Bregman and Happ. Nico Hoerner added a two-run double in the 5th, and Ballesteros drove him in with another double to make it 8-0. The Cubs would go on to win by a final score of 12-0.

  • The game took place on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona.
  • It was the third-to-last spring training game for the Cubs before the start of the 2026 regular season.

The players

Cade Horton

The Cubs' starting pitcher, who threw six scoreless innings in the win.

Alex Bregman

The Cubs' third baseman, who hit a home run as part of the team's offensive outburst.

Ian Happ

The Cubs' center fielder, who also hit a home run in the game.

Nico Hoerner

The Cubs' shortstop, who drove in two runs with a double.

Moisés Ballesteros

The Cubs' catcher, who had an RBI double and another RBI single in the win.

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What they’re saying

“We came out and played a complete game today. The pitching, hitting, and defense were all clicking, and that's what we're going to need to do all season long.”

— Nico Hoerner, Cubs Shortstop

“Cade was outstanding on the mound, and the offense really set the tone early. This is the kind of performance that has us feeling confident heading into the season.”

— Craig Counsell, Cubs Manager

What’s next

The Cubs will host the New York Yankees for a two-game series starting on Monday, March 23rd at 2:05pm CT. Shōta Imanaga is scheduled to start the series opener for Chicago.

The takeaway

The Cubs' dominant win over the Brewers showcases the team's offensive firepower and strong starting pitching, providing an encouraging sign that they have the pieces in place to compete in the NL Central this season after missing the playoffs in 2025.