Another season of Cubs baseball at Wrigley Field started with a 5-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga was dazzling in his major league debut, striking out nine batter and not allowing a hit until the sixth inning.
The win continued a turnaround from a tough start to the season. On Sunday they toppled the World Series champion Texas Rangers, 9-5, to claim their first win of the season. Christopher Morel, who hit a three-run homer in the victory, has been a bright spot early on.
Unlike typical games, where doors open 90 minutes before first pitch, fans were allowed to enter Wrigley Field on Monday roughly two hours early.
Flame out
The Cubs apparently wanted to bring their players onto the field in a blaze of glory. Looks like it didn’t go precisely as planned.
Cubs bring out the saddest pyrotechnic display for the home opener introductions. pic.twitter.com/r2qJVR5666
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) April 1, 2024
Opening optimism
Fans want to see the Cubs make the playoffs, after the team narrowly missed out last year.
Cecy Mendoza, 52, who has attended 20 home openers, said she’s “crossing her fingers” the team makes it to October.
“New team, new hope, new adventures,” Mendoza said. “I’m hoping for the best.”
Kasey Woods, 19, traveled from Iowa to attend the home opener with her father.
“This was my first home opener,” Woods said.
As for the upcoming season, Woods wants to see Seiya Suzuki to “make a strong, strong impact.” Likewise, Cubs fan Jack Walker said he is “pumped” for Suzuki.
“He had a great spring training,” Walker said. “I love watching him.”
Wagers at Wrigley
Guests walked in and out of the DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field, where fans can now place sports bets.
“We’re gonna check out the sportsbook for the first time this year, so it should be exciting,” said Andy Diaz, 47, a Cubs fan from the South Side.
Mendoza, who also plans to go, said it can draw in more money and people.
“I think it’s a good thing for the community,” she said. “Those who cannot be in-person at the game, they can always just hang out there.”
(Sun-Times columnist Rick Morrissey offered his thoughts on the new sportsbook.)
Ready to take a bite
Walker, 65, a “die hard” Cubs fan with a Cubs’ tattoo, said he wants to try something new and something traditional from the food vendors: the new steak sandwich and his usual — a hot dog.
“Every winter, I say I can’t wait to get a hot dog here. I don’t know why they’re better here,” Walker said.
Weather forecast
It may be April Fool’s Day but the Monday weather is no joke. This afternoon the high will be near 47 degrees with wind and rain expected, according to the National Weather Service.
Showers are most likely to occur after 2 p.m., so fans heading to the game will want to plan to bring a rain jacket.
Even with the prospect of rain, fans say poor weather isn’t going to affect the team’s performance. “I think we’re gonna hold up, the rain will stop, and the Cubs are gonna play good,” said Michael Pech, 29, a lifelong Cubs fan.
The weather has changed a bit… pic.twitter.com/mwlGWZh3T1
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) April 1, 2024
How to watch
First pitch is set for 1:20 p.m. CT. Marquee Sports Network will have live TV coverage of the game, while 670 The Score will be airing radio coverage.
Here is today's #Cubs starting lineup for the home opener at Wrigley Field!
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 1, 2024
Tune in: https://t.co/Gs2hZXyTjH pic.twitter.com/YMBfbOQfif
