The Cubs have finally put the brakes on that chaotic spring training and early-season schedule. That took them from Arizona to Japan, back to Arizona, downtown Phoenix and Sacramento. They wrapped up their first series at Sutter Health Park by sweeping the Athletics—just in time to head home to Wrigley Field and the freezing temperatures and 70% chance of rain that come with it.
“It feels like the longest spring training in the world,” Cubs closer Ryan Pressly said of the experience. “You go all the way across the world to Japan, come back, play a few more spring training games and then start the season in Arizona. That’s a long way to go just to get ready.”
Despite the travel schedule that would have broken some teams, the Cubs came out of that grueling stretch hot and ready to take on the 2025 season’s challenges.
A Record-Breaking Itinerary
From the moment they got to spring training early, the Cubs went on a wild ride. They went to Japan for two exhibition games, back to Arizona for more spring training, opened the season in downtown Phoenix against the Diamondbacks and finished with a three-game sweep of the Athletics in Sacramento.
“This is the longest spring training in the world,” Cubs closer Ryan Pressly told USA TODAY Sports. “You go all the way to Japan, come back, play a couple more spring training games and then start the season in Arizona.”
The Cubs have already had six pregame ceremonies this year—four in Tokyo, one in Arizona and one in Sacramento. Now they’re getting ready for another one at Wrigley Field.
“That’s got to be a record, right?” joked Cubs reliever Eli Morgan.
It’s not just the number of stops that made this spring unique—it’s the length of time. Between their time in Arizona, Japan and Sacramento they felt like they lived out of suitcases for almost five weeks.
“It felt like we were in Arizona for four months,” said catcher Carson Kelly. “It was definitely a little weird when we went to Tokyo, came back, played some spring training games and then opened in Arizona. It was a little disorienting.”
Finding Their Groove— and Breaking Out
The Cubs found their groove in those final games. And at the heart of that resurgence are DH Seiya Suzuki and right fielder Kyle Tucker. Suzuki, who started the season 0-for-—well, not very good—in his first five games, really turned it around in the last four. He went 11-for-19 (.579) with four home runs and 11 RBIs.
“Seiya, pound for pound, has some of the juice in the league,” center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said with a grin. “That’s just going to be a regular thing for Seiya. We’ve all seen him do that before. And he’s going to keep doing it.”
Tucker, on the other hand, had a tough spring training. He went 0-for-19. But since the regular season started, he’s been unstoppable. He’s hit .476 with three doubles, four homers and nine RBIs in his last five games.
“Special player,” reliever Pressly said with a chuckle. “Watching him come up to the plate and how he swings it is a lot of fun. Don’t tell him I said that.”
Manager Craig Counsell has noticed that Tucker’s approach at the plate is what really sets him apart. “That’s what other players have commented on,” he said. “Watching a great hitter’s approach and how it’s just a little bit different… and you learn from that.”
Goodbye, Sacramento—Hello, Wrigley
The Cubs beat the Athletics 35-9 in the series and are ready to leave Sutter Health Park behind. While it has its charm—a functional clubhouse, working showers and no rats or stray cats—it still feels like a Triple-A park.
“The clubhouse is way better; it’s really nice in here,” Pressly said. “It’s just the stadium. You know, you’re playing in a Triple-A stadium. That’s the only downfall of it.”
The ballpark’s hitter-friendly dimensions showed up early with 42 runs, 64 hits and 12 homers in the three-game series. Pitchers like Jameson Taillon said the park was fair but credited the Cubs’ hitters for making the most of their opportunities.
“I’ve heard the stories of the PCL,” Taillon said. “But I felt it was pretty fair. I know we scored a lot of runs but I also feel like that was a lot on our hitters putting up great at-bats.”
Back to Reality: Windy and Wet Wrigley Awaits
As thrilling as that road trip was, home is where the heart is—especially when Wrigley Field greets you with freezing temperatures and a 70% chance of rain.
Suzuki joked, “Is Chicago warm yet?” His response? “I’ll be ready to have a lot of hot packs all over my body.” The cold weather won’t dampen the Cubs’ excitement about getting back to Wrigley.
“I’m really, really excited to get back to Wrigley,” Taillon said. “For all our new players to experience it, the fans—and just to sleep in my own bed at night.” That last part, he added, is a big part of coming home.
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