MLB unveils new-look Cubs schedule for 2023
Get ready for a brand new type of Cubs schedule.
As part of the new collective bargaining agreement, Major League Baseball and the Players Union came together on a new, more balanced schedule.
That slate begins in 2023 and the league released the tentative Cubs schedule for next season on Wednesday.
Each MLB team will play fewer games against divisional opponents and will play at least one series against every other team in baseball.
Instead of 18 or 19 games against the Cardinals and Brewers, the Cubs will play each NL Central team 13 times (two series at each ballpark). They will also continue to face off against each NL East and NL West opponent with a series at each ballpark.
Then there’s the 4 Crosstown games — 2 each at Wrigley Field and Guaranteed Rate Field.
The new part: More interleague play. Instead of only 20 games against the American League, the Cubs will play 46 interleague games, including a showdown with each AL opponent.
The idea is to alternate ballparks each season, so the Cubs play Mike Trout and the Angels in L.A. in 2023 but in 2024, that series should be at Wrigley Field.
“I think it’s exciting,” David Ross said. “New cities, getting outside of your division more. With playing the same teams over and over again, it’s fine, it’s just more exciting to play new teams and travel around. Going to Minnesota, Houston, consistently — I think that’s super exciting and fun. Playing every team.
“I’m sure it benefits some of the better division teams sometimes — maybe the Orioles benefit from something like this. I think from just my seat, this is exciting to go to every city to play every team.”
Here is the complete 2023 Cubs schedule in this new format:
NOTES
—The Cubs kick off the 2023 season on March 30 at home against the Milwaukee Brewers.
—Ross’ crew will have three separate West Coast trips, with the first coming in mid-April (14-19 with stops at Dodger Stadium and in Oakland). The Cubs also have a 10-day road trip in California in early June, spanning from the 2nd through the 11th in San Diego, L.A. (Angels) and San Francisco.
—The big series to circle is June 24-25 against the Cardinals…in London. The Cubs will have a pair of off-days before the series and another after the quick 2-game set before a homestand begins.
—Because of the London matchup, the Cubs only make one trip to St. Louis (July 27-30). That will be a little strange after at least three trips to the city annually.
—The first iteration of the Crosstown Series comes July 25-26 on the South Side. The Sox travel to Wrigley Aug. 15-16.
—The Cubs close the 2023 campaign with a road trip in Atlanta and Milwaukee.
—The list of AL teams the Cubs will welcome to Wrigley Field: Rangers, Mariners, Rays, Orioles, Guardians, Red Sox, White Sox and Royals.
—They will travel to these AL cities: New York (Yankees), Toronto, Chicago (White Sox), Detroit, Minnesota, Houston, L.A. (Angels) and Oakland.