Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/3/26): Busch Leads Off, Shaw in CF, Horton Pitching

For the first time in recent memory, the beef won’t be the most Italian thing about a Cubs home game. That’s because Team Italy is visiting Sloan Park for a tune-up ahead of World Baseball Classic pool play. In addition to Giaconino Lasaracina and Claudio Scotti, the squad boasts Kyle Teel and Aaron Nola. Former Cubs luminaries Jon Berti and Miles Mastrobuoni are competing as well.

Manager Francisco Cervelli hasn’t submitted his lineup or publicly announced a starter as of publication, which isn’t a big deal since the game isn’t being broadcast at all. I wonder if Marquee could just fire up a remote cam and let the ambient ballpark noise provide a soundtrack for these games. I have to think that’d draw more eyeballs than whatever other programming they carry instead.

This is one that would be really nice to see because it features Cade Horton on the mound, and his first appearance wasn’t on TV either. Not only that, but the lineup is full of regulars. Michael Busch leads off at first, Nico Hoerner is at second, Ian Happ is in left, and Dansby Swanson cleans up at short. Carson Kelly is the catcher, Michael Conforto is in right, and Matt Shaw gets to patrol center for the first time. Pedro Ramirez handles third base and Jefferson Rojas is the DH.

First pitch is at 2:05pm CT and you can follow online.

Taking on Team Italy at @SloanParkMesa. pic.twitter.com/5c7L3K1WjD

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 3, 2026