Cubs 2018 spring training schedule

With MLB beginning the 2018 schedule four days earlier than has been the case in previous years, a result of the MLB/MLBPA collective-bargaining agreement adding four more off days into the schedule, that’s pushed spring training back a few days. Why? Because while players, coaches and managers will generally say they don’t need five weeks’ worth of games to get ready for the season, spring games have become a profit center for many teams, notably the Cubs, who have drawn huge crowds to Sloan Park in Mesa since it opened in 2014.

Thus the schedule below, which begins on Friday, February 23, 2018. The good thing here is that this shortens up our offseason and gives us baseball earlier, and more baseball is always better. The 36 games include 16 at Sloan Park, 16 in other Cactus League venues, two games in Las Vegas and two in Florida. There are seven Cactus League night games this spring, including two at home at Sloan Park. All the other MLB teams announced spring schedules today as well.

The Cubs will wrap their spring schedule with a trip to play the Red Sox at their spring training facility in Ft. Myers, Florida, on March 26 and 27.

The Cubs will make their annual trip to Las Vegas again, this time facing the Indians on March 17 and 18.

Individual game tickets for Cubs home spring training games at Sloan Park will go on sale Saturday, January 6 at 11 a.m. CT at the Sloan Park ticket office, on cubs.com or by calling 1-800-THE-CUBS.

Here is the complete 2018 Cubs spring schedule. Home games in boldface. All games are at 2:05 p.m. CT through Saturday, March 10, then at 3:05 p.m. CT from March 11 through the end of the schedule, unless otherwise noted. (ss) indicates a split-squad date. When broadcast information is available, I’ll post it separately.

Fri 2/23: vs. Brewers at Maryvale
Sat 2/24: vs. Rangers at Sloan Park
Sun 2/25: vs. Giants at Scottsdale
Mon 2/26: vs. Mariners at Sloan Park
Tue 2/27: vs. White Sox at Sloan Park
Wed 2/28: vs. Athletics at Sloan Park
Thu 3/1: vs. Rockies at Sloan Park
Fri 3/2: vs. Angels at Tempe (2:10 CT)
Sat 3/3: vs. Reds at Sloan Park
Sun 3/4: vs. Diamondbacks at Talking Stick (2:10 CT)
Mon 3/5: vs. Rockies at Talking Stick (2:10 CT)
Tue 3/6: vs. Dodgers at Sloan Park
Wed 3/7: vs. Indians at Goodyear (7:05 CT)
Thu 3/8: vs. Padres at Sloan Park
Fri 3/9: vs. Angels at Sloan Park
Sat 3/10 (ss): vs. White Sox at Sloan Park
Sat 3/10 (ss): vs. Dodgers at Glendale (8:05 CT)
Sun 3/11: vs. Athletics at Mesa (DST begins)
Mon 3/12: OFF DAY
Tue 3/13 (ss): vs. Giants at Sloan Park (9:05 CT)
Tue 3/13 (ss): vs. Padres at Peoria (3:10 CT)
Wed 3/14: vs. Royals at Surprise
Thu 3/15: vs. Diamondbacks at Sloan Park
Fri 3/16: vs. White Sox at Glendale
Sat 3/17 (ss): vs. Indians at Sloan Park
Sat 3/17 (ss): vs. Indians at Las Vegas (6:05 CT)
Sun 3/18 (ss): vs. Royals at Sloan Park
Sun 3/18 (ss): vs. Indians at Las Vegas (3:05 CT)
Mon 3/19: vs. Reds at Goodyear (8:05 CT)
Tue 3/20: OFF DAY
Wed 3/21: vs. Rangers at Surprise
Thu 3/22: vs. Giants at Scottsdale (9:05 CT)
Fri 3/23: vs. Brewers at Sloan Park
Sat 3/24 (ss): vs. Rockies at Sloan Park (9:05 CT)
Sat 3/24 (ss): vs. Mariners at Peoria (8:40 CT)
Sun 3/25: vs. Royals at Surprise
Mon 3/26: vs. Red Sox at Ft. Myers, Florida (5:05 CT)
Tue 3/27: vs. Red Sox at Ft. Myers, Florida (12:05 CT)