Opening Day has arrived as the Cubs open the regular season vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates this Thursday at 1:20 p.m. on Marquee Sports Network. Stay locked in all week as Marquee Sports Network previews everything you need to know about the 2021 season and looks back on past memorable Opening Day moments. 

SPRING TRAINING WRAPS UP TODAY

Marquee Sports Network will carry the Cubs’ final Spring Training contest this afternoon at 2:05 p.m. CT against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Jon Sciambi, Jim Deshaies and Taylor McGregor will be on the call.  

ICYMI – ANTHONY RIZZO MIC’D UP

Anthony Rizzo was mic’d up for the first few innings of the broadcast last Friday, chatting with former teammate Tommy La Stella, calling Joc Pederson’s first home run of the game and talking about his Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation charity.  

“I’m calling fastball here.”

You’re right, Rizz. pic.twitter.com/6HxG7NeKQy

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 26, 2021

SEASON PREVIEW SPECIAL PREMIERES TUESDAY

Marquee Sports Network will premiere an hour-long Cubs 360: Season Preview Special presented by Miller Lite at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30. Hosted by Cole Wright, the show will preview the 2021 Cubs season with analysis from Ryan Dempster, Jim Deshaies, Doug Glanville and Lou Piniella. The show will re-air Tuesday evening at 11 p.m., multiple times on Wednesday, March 31 and at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 1, kicking off Marquee’s slate of Opening Day coverage.

OPENING DAY SCHEDULE – THURSDAY, APRIL 1

10 AM – Cubs 360: Season Preview Special presented by Miller Lite
11 AM – Cubs Live! presented by Toyota
1:20 PM – Pirates at Cubs
After – Cubs Postgame Live! presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

STUDIO COVERAGE BEGINS AT 11 A.M.

Tune in Thursday at 11 a.m. CT for a two-hour edition of Cubs Live! presented by Toyota featuring Cole Wright, Ryan Dempster and Rick Sutcliffe, as well as appearances from Fergie Jenkins, Doug Glanville, Lou Piniella and the entire game broadcast crew. Elise Menaker will be capturing the atmosphere outside as fans return to the ballpark for the first time since 2019, and Marquee will carry all of the pre-game festivities from Wrigley Field. Stay tuned after the game for Cubs Postgame Live! with game coverage from Marquee’s team of analysts and press conferences from the clubhouse.

FIRST PITCH AT 1:20 P.M.

The Cubs begin their 146th National League campaign at 1:20 p.m. on Thursday, April 1 vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jon “Boog” Sciambi and Jim Deshaies will be on the call along with field reporters Taylor McGregor and Elise Menaker. Ryan Dempster will also join the broadcast during the game.

Pregame and postgame studio coverage on Cubs Live! and Cubs Postgame Live! will continue all season, beginning one hour prior to first pitch and starting again right after the game’s final out.

UPCOMING OPENING DAY CUBS CLASSICS

Monday, March 29 (10 p.m.)
April 1, 1996 (Mark Grace walk-off single vs. San Diego)
Tuesday, March 30 (8 p.m.)
April 4, 2016 (Shutout victory at the Angels to kick-start 2016 campaign)
Wednesday, March 31 (7 p.m.)
March 29, 2018 (Ian Happ leadoff home run at Miami)

RYNE SANDBERG JOINS MARQUEE

Marquee Sports Network announced last week that Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg has joined the network as a multi-platform analyst. “Ryno” will contribute to select game broadcasts, pregame and postgame shows, and will also take part in interview shows, podcasts and more. Ryne joined the Spring Training broadcast last Thursday to talk hitting with Jon Sciambi and Ryan Dempster.

Welcome to the team, Ryno! pic.twitter.com/JetFWICzyC

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 26, 2021

BREAKING BARRIERS

The Cubs and Marquee Sports Network last week partnered on a conversation with women who are breaking barriers in baseball and broadcasting, including Marquee broadcasters Taylor McGregor and Beth Mowins, Marquee SVP of Technical Operations Deb Schneider and Chicago Cubs minor league hitting coach Rachel Folden. 

These women are breaking barriers in baseball and broadcasting. #WomensHistoryMonth

Watch the full conversation with @Taylor_McGregor, @bethmowins, @FoldenFastpitch and Deb Schneider: https://t.co/LvrEFAzp8d pic.twitter.com/QQErHy4o4d

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 25, 2021

QUICK HITS

Elise Menaker joined the Cubs Weekly Podcast to discuss the 2021 season and her Hall of Fame softball career at Cornell University … Kyle Hendricks was named Opening Day starter for the second-straight season … Eric Sogard joined the game broadcast talking about his first few weeks with the Cubs … Craig Kimbrel feels free and easy heading into the season … follow @watchmarquee on social media for exclusive Cubs content and programming announcements.