March 11, 2026 | Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ | 2:05 PM CT | MLB Network, Marquee Sports Network
The Chicago Cubs host the Kansas City Royals at Sloan Park today, and this is actually an interesting matchup. Both teams finished below .500 last yearโwe went 78โ84, they went 71โ91. Both are building around young talent. And both are trying to figure out if 2026 is the year they take the next step.
The difference? The Royals already have their franchise superstar in Bobby Witt Jr.โ30-30 guy, elite defender, MVP candidate. Weโre hoping Jackson Merrill becomes our version of that.
Brady Singer is a solid major league starter. Tyler Glasnow is our new ace. Salvador Pรฉrez is a future Hall of Famer. Pete Crow-Armstrong is trying to prove heโs an everyday player.
For Cubs fans, this is another measuring-stick game. Can we compete with a team that has a legitimate franchise cornerstone? Will Merrill show he can hang with Witt Jr.? Can our young core match theirs?
Where the Cubs Stand With Spring Winding Down
2025 Record: 78โ84
Another disappointing season. Another missed playoff run. The front office responded by signing Tyler Glasnow and acquiring Jackson Merrill. Spring training has shown those moves are working.
Key Players:
- Tyler Glasnow (SP): Elite strikeout pitcher whoโs been dominant all spring
- Jackson Merrill (SS): Smooth defender with developing bat, our franchise shortstop
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF): Elite defense and speed, showing offensive improvement
Top Prospects:
- Cade Horton (RHP): Earned a rotation spot with strong spring
- Matt Shaw (INF): Versatile bat whoโs impressed
- Kevin Alcรกntara (OF): Toolsy outfielder still developing
Spring training is almost over. Todayโs another chance to evaluate our core against quality competition before Opening Day.
The Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr. and Everyone Else
2025 Record: 71โ91
Kansas City lost 91 games, but theyโre building something around Bobby Witt Jr. Heโs already a superstarโ30 homers, 30 steals, elite defense, franchise cornerstone. Everything we hope Merrill becomes, Witt already is.
Key Players:
- Bobby Witt Jr. (SS): Superstar, 30-30 guy, one of baseballโs best young players
- Salvador Pรฉrez (C): Future Hall of Famer, veteran leader
- Brady Singer (RHP): Consistent starter with solid stuff
Top Prospects:
- Cayden Wallace (3B): Developmental third baseman
- Ben Kudrna (RHP): Pitching prospect with upside
- Carter Jensen (C): Young catcher in the system
The Royals are what weโre trying to becomeโrebuilding team with a legitimate franchise superstar who changes everything.
The Matchups That Define This Game
| Position | Cubs | Royals |
|---|---|---|
| Shortstop | Jackson Merrill | Bobby Witt Jr. |
| Center Field | Pete Crow-Armstrong | Kyle Isbel |
| Starting Pitcher | Tyler Glasnow | Brady Singer |
Jackson Merrill vs Bobby Witt Jr. at Shortstop
This is the story of the game. Witt is already an MVP candidateโ30-30 guy with elite defense and clutch hitting. Merrill is trying to prove he can eventually reach that level. The gap is enormous right now, but Merrill can show heโs on the right developmental path.
Pete Crow-Armstrong vs Kyle Isbel in Center
Crow-Armstrong has elite defense and speed. Isbel is solid and professional. PCA has higher upside, but Isbel is the more proven, reliable player right now.
Tyler Glasnow vs Brady Singer on the Mound
Both are quality starters. Glasnow has more velocity and strikeout ability. Singer has consistency and durability. This should be a quality pitching matchup.
What the Cubs Need to See Today
Tyler Glasnow Continues His Strong Spring
Glasnowโs been excellent all spring. Against a Royals lineup with quality hitters, he should continue dominating. Three or four innings with strikeouts and sharp command.
Jackson Merrill Competes With Bobby Witt Jr.
Merrill doesnโt need to out-hit Witt (unrealisticโWittโs an MVP candidate). But he needs to show he belongs on the same field. Quality at-bats, smooth defense, competitive play.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Shows Offensive Growth
PCAโs defense is already elite. He needs to keep showing the bat is catching up. Hard contact, smart approaches, aggressive baserunning against Kansas Cityโs pitching.
Young Guys Keep Impressing
Horton, Shaw, and Alcรกntara should all look good. Spring training is almost overโfinish strong.
Compete With a Team That Has a Superstar
The Royals have Bobby Witt Jr.โa franchise-changing player. If we can compete with them, it shows weโre progressing even without that level of star power yet.
What Kansas City Will Bring
Bobby Witt Jr. will do something spectacular because thatโs what superstars doโclutch hit, stolen base, diving play. Brady Singer will challenge our hitters with consistent stuff. Salvador Pรฉrez might crush one because heโs still productive.
The Royalsโ young core is further along because they have Witt. That one player makes all the difference.
Cubs Fan Prediction: Close Game, Could Go Either Way
Final Score: Cubs 5, Royals 4
Tyler Glasnow throws four scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, continuing his dominant spring. Brady Singer matches him with consistent, quality pitching.
Jackson Merrill goes 2-for-3 with a double and looks ready for Opening Day. Pete Crow-Armstrong makes a highlight-reel catch and legs out two infield singles. Matt Shaw drives in the go-ahead run with a clutch single.
Bobby Witt Jr. goes 2-for-4 with a stolen base and shows why heโs a superstar. But our depth and Glasnowโs dominance give us a one-run win.
Itโs close. Itโs competitive. And we edge a team with a legitimate franchise star.
Why This Game Matters
Spring training is almost over. Opening Day is approaching. And games like this against teams with franchise cornerstones show where we are.
The Royals have Bobby Witt Jr.โeverything changes when you have a player that good. Weโre hoping Jackson Merrill becomes our version of that. Today shows how far Merrill has to go.
Both teams finished below .500 last year. Both are rebuilding. The question is which team takes the next step in 2026.
Go Cubs Go!!!
The post Cubs vs Royals Spring Training Prediction Game Today March 11: Merrill vs Witt Jr. Showdown appeared first on UrbanMatter.
