Baseball

Yankees Defeat Cubs 8-3 in Final Spring Training Game

by
Richard Hayes
March 24, 2026

The Cubs wrapped up their spring training with a disappointing 8-3 loss to the Yankees at Sloan Park, a game that served as a final tune-up before the start of the regular season. As the team shifts focus to their season opener on Thursday at Wrigley Field, this recap will be brief.

Chicago managed to score both of their runs through solo home runs. Alex Bregman opened the scoring with a homer in the first inning, marking his fourth of the spring and his second in as many days. While spring training stats often don’t translate into the regular season, there’s hope that Bregman will continue this momentum when the games count.

Miguel Amaya added a solo shot in the fifth inning. Many believe Amaya is poised for a breakout year, provided he can maintain his health. His offensive potential combined with his solid defensive skills could prove invaluable for the Cubs this season.

On the mound, Edward Cabrera made his final spring appearance, but it was a struggle as he surrendered three home runs over 4.1 innings pitched. Notably, Ben Rice took Cabrera deep twice, raising concerns about the right-hander’s readiness for the regular season. Fans are hoping this outing was merely an anomaly, as Cabrera is expected to take the mound again in the second series against the Angels.

All starting players had a couple of at-bats before departing for a late afternoon flight back to Chicago. The game attracted an attendance of 13,880, bringing the Cubs’ spring total to 239,459, leading the Cactus League with an average of 13,303 fans per game.

The Cubs will kick off the 2026 season on Thursday against the Washington Nationals, with Matthew Boyd making his third Opening Day start, while Cade Cavalli will pitch for the Nats. First pitch is set for 1:20 p.m. CT, and fans can catch the action on Marquee Sports Network. With temperatures expected in the 70s, it’s shaping up to be a perfect day for baseball.

Go Cubs. Play ball!

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.