Chicago Cubs will clash with the American League West in 2016

Before the Chicago Cubs take the field against Michael Wacha and the St. Louis Cardinals later on this evening, Major League Baseball has announced their tentative 2016 schedule.

According to the Cubs official website, they open up the new campaign with a six-game road trip starting in Los Angeles against Albert Pujols and the Angels. After they wrap up that brief two-game visit, they’ll travel to the desert for a three-game weekend set with the Arizona Diamondbacks – a team they just swept.

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Unlike this year, Chicago will begin their first homestand against the Cincinnati Reds on the 11th with a day off the next day. Colorado will come into town on Jackie Robinson Day (Fri. Sept. 15) before the Cubs clash with the Cardinals for the first time that following Monday to begin their second trip of the month.

The Angels will be their only interleague opponent until after the 2016 All-Star Game when the Texas Rangers visit Wrigley Field while Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners begin their visit as soon as the Crosstown Cup wraps up on the 28th of July.

Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer made multiple trades with the Seattle Mariners this year which involved Welington Castillo, Justin Ruggiano, and Austin Jackson who has played fairly well since he was acquired.

We’ll have to see if the club will keep the speedy outfielder with the club after this season, but don’t be surprised if he stays for at least one more year.

Infielder Addison Russell will be a key player during Aug. 5th’s visit in Oakland – the team who traded him away for Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija last July.

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Russell clubbed a three-run homer in yesterday’s 9-0 victory over the Cardinals and should open up 2016 as the organization’s everyday shortstop which would leave Starlin Castro and or Javier Baez to split playing time at second base.

That is if Castro is even with the club after the trade deadline at the end of July. He was rumored to be drawing some interest from the Philadelphia Phillies earlier on in the year, but nothing happened.

The last team the Cubs will cross from the American League West will be none other than the Houston Astros. Houston, like the Cubs, have had some success this season and currently sit at the top of their division with a 75-63 record.

This series will feature Kris Bryant squaring off against Carlos Correa and a chance that Jake Arrieta pitches against Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel could very well be this year’s A.L. Cy Young award winner while Arrieta is hoping to top Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers.

It’ll be the first time these two teams have met during the regular season since Houston was moved over to the American League. The Astros spend over 20 years in the N.L. Central, so it’ll be nice to see them once again.

Surely, both teams will be making yet another push for the post-season.

You can look at next year’s schedule by clicking here.

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