Cubs and Guardians Open Home Series in Cleveland

The two-time defending AL Central champion Guardians host the Cubs in a Friday night matchup.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:10pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game in progress, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color, conveying the intensity and strategic complexity of the matchup between the two teams.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes matchup between the Cubs and Guardians, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the game.Chicago Today

The two-time defending American League Central champion Cleveland Guardians (4-3) open their home schedule on Friday night when they host the Chicago Cubs (3-3) at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The Guardians are coming off a split of a four-game series with the Seattle Mariners and a series win over the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Cubs dropped two of three to the Washington Nationals to open the season before winning two of three against the Los Angeles Angels.

Why it matters

This early-season matchup between the Guardians and Cubs features two teams with playoff aspirations looking to gain an early advantage in the standings. The Guardians are aiming to defend their AL Central title, while the Cubs are hoping to return to the postseason after missing out in 2025.

The details

Left-hander Joey Cantillo takes the mound for the Guardians, looking to bounce back after a rough outing against the Mariners. The Cubs will counter with right-hander Cade Horton, who earned a win in his first start of the season against the Nationals. Both teams have seen solid production from their young stars, with Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter hitting four home runs and Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner leading the majors with four stolen bases.

  • The game is scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2026 at 4:10 PM ET.
  • The Guardians are coming off a seven-game road trip, splitting four games with the Mariners and taking two of three from the Dodgers.
  • The Cubs opened the season by dropping two of three to the Nationals before winning two of three against the Angels.

The players

Cleveland Guardians

The two-time defending American League Central champion, looking to defend their title in 2026.

Chicago Cubs

A team with playoff aspirations, hoping to return to the postseason after missing out in 2025.

Joey Cantillo

The Guardians' starting pitcher, looking to bounce back after a rough outing in his previous start.

Cade Horton

The Cubs' starting pitcher, coming off a win in his first start of the season.

Chase DeLauter

The Guardians' rookie right fielder, who has hit four home runs so far this season.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to be back home and in front of our fans. It's always a tough matchup against the Cubs, but we're ready to defend our division title.”

— Jose Ramirez, All-Star third baseman, Cleveland Guardians

“This is a big early-season series for us. We know the Guardians are the team to beat in the Central, so we're looking forward to the challenge.”

— Nico Hoerner, Second baseman, Chicago Cubs

What’s next

The Guardians and Cubs will play the second game of their three-game series on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 1:10 PM ET.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Guardians and Cubs features two teams with high expectations for the 2026 season. The Guardians are looking to defend their AL Central title, while the Cubs are hoping to return to the playoffs. With both teams featuring young stars and strong pitching, this series could provide an early indication of which team has the upper hand in the race for the postseason.