Cubs Fans Weigh In: How Many Home Runs for Seiya Suzuki in 2026?

Welcome to another lively edition of BCB After Dark, where night owls, early risers, new parents, and Cubs fans from all walks of life come together. There’s no cover charge and the dress code is as relaxed as the conversation. Feel free to bring your favorite drink and settle in for a great discussion.

In last night’s chat, we posed a question about Shōta Imanaga’s upcoming 2026 season, and the responses were overwhelmingly positive. About 60% of participants expect Imanaga’s performance to mirror his 2024 season, while 40% anticipate a return to the form seen in 2025.

While Tuesday nights typically steer clear of movie talk, jazz is always welcome here, so let’s dive into that. A standout track from Chilean saxophonist Melissa Aldana’s latest album, Filin, features the talents of Gonzalo Rubalcaba on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kush Abadey on drums. The piece, titled “La Sentencia,” makes for an excellent backdrop for a relaxed evening.

Now, back to the Cubs. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki is off to an impressive start in the World Baseball Classic, boasting a 3-for-9 record that includes two home runs, five walks, and only one strikeout. While he may not have faced the toughest competition, his performance signals that he’s currently locked in.

This leads to a sense of optimism surrounding Suzuki, especially with the introduction of the Automatic Ball-Strike (ABS) system. There’s a prevailing belief among Cubs fans that Suzuki has been on the receiving end of numerous questionable strike calls. If the ABS system helps him convert some of those strikes into balls, he could not only increase his walk totals but also get more opportunities to swing—potentially leading to more home runs.

Over his four seasons in the MLB, Suzuki has shown consistent improvement in his home run production. In 2021, he hit 14 home runs in 446 plate appearances (3.1 HR percentage), followed by 20 in 583 PA (3.4 HR%) in 2022, and 21 in 585 PA (3.6 HR%) in 2023. Last season, he took a significant leap forward, smashing 32 home runs in 651 plate appearances (4.9 HR%). His increase in home runs aligns with a notable rise in his pull rate, which jumped to 41.7% last year compared to 33.7% in 2024.

This evening’s question is straightforward: how many home runs do you predict Seiya Suzuki will hit in 2026? Will he reclaim some of the gains he made last year, or will the ABS system propel him to even greater heights? There’s also the possibility of injuries, which could affect his overall production.

Thank you for joining us tonight; your presence truly enhances the atmosphere. Please make your way home safely, and we hope to see you back here soon. Don’t forget to recycle any cans and bottles, tip your waitstaff, and come back tomorrow evening for more engaging discussions on BCB After Dark.

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