NEWSLETTER
It’s never too early to start dreaming of spring.
Today, the Chicago Cubs released their full Spring Training schedule for next year, which you can see below. Cactus League play starts on March 5 for the Cubs, with a split squad day, which means they nominally open at home. The Cubs also close at Cubs Park, which will come on April 1. You’ll recall, MLB’s season is starting later this year, hence the April date.
Some things you’ll notice in the schedule: there are just two scheduled split-squad days, which is a bummer, since those often are the most prospect-laden days. Last year, the Cubs had six scheduled split-squad days when the schedule was released. There is no Las Vegas trip this year, after the Cubs have done that several times before. The Cubs play the White Sox twice.
The schedule is subject to change and/or game addition, but, for now, the Cubs have the same number of home dates (15) that they had last year. It’s likely that some games – perhaps more split-squad days – will be added later in the offseason. I guess those missing Las Vegas games could be among the additions.
Last year, games started on February 27, and ended on March 27 (with two exhibition games thereafter, on March 28 and 29, at Chase Field). The schedule wasn’t announced until late November, for whatever that’s worth, so it’s coming more than a month earlier this year. Pitchers and catchers reported in 2014 on February 13, so your early estimate for a reporting date in 2015 is right around February 20th or 21st.
Single game tickets go on sale Saturday, January 10 at 11 a.m. CT at the Cubs Park ticket office, on www.cubs.com or by calling 1-800-THE-CUBS.
The full schedule, per the Cubs’ release:
March 5 (ss) vs. A’s at Cubs Park; vs. Giants in Scottsdale
March 6 vs. Reds at Cubs Park
March 7 vs. Rockies in Scottsdale
March 8 vs. Rangers at Cubs Park
March 9 vs. Padres at Cubs Park
March 10 vs. Indians in Goodyear
March 11 vs. Dodgers at Cubs Park
March 12 vs. Angels in Tempe
March 13 vs. Indians at Cubs Park
March 14 vs. Brewers in Maryvale
March 15 vs. Reds at Cubs Park
March 16 vs. Padres in Peoria
March 17 vs. Royals at Cubs Park
March 18 vs. Dodgers in Glendale
March 19 vs. Diamondbacks in Scottsdale
March 20 vs. White Sox in Glendale
March 21 vs. Mariners at Cubs Park
March 22 vs. Padres at Cubs Park
March 23: Off day
March 24 vs. Athletics in Mesa
March 25 vs. Mariners in Peoria
March 26 vs. Angels at Cubs Park
March 27 vs. White Sox at Cubs Park
March 28 (ss) vs. Rockies at Cubs Park; vs. Reds in Goodyear
March 29 vs. Royals in Surprise
March 30 vs. Giants at Cubs Park
March 31 vs. Rangers in Surprise
April 1 vs. Brewers at Cubs Park
