Cubs fans have 2 big reasons to follow the 2026 World Baseball Classic

The World Baseball Classic, set to kick off on March 4, is chock-full of Chicago Cubs - giving the Wrigleyville faithful plenty of reasons to tune into the action next month. From prospects to established big-leaguers, 13 members of the Cubs organization will be on the global stage.

Cubs players will don the uniforms of Team USA, Team Canada, Team Japan - the reigning WBC champs, Team Puerto Rico, Team Panama, Team Chinese Taipei, Team Great Britain, Team Venezuela and Team Mexico. So regardless of which team you're pulling for, here are 2 big reasons to make sure you tune in when the action kicks off.

2 huge reasons for Cubs fans to tune into the World Baseball Classic

Pete Crow-Armstrong repping the red, white and blue

After breaking out with an MVP-caliber first half and becoming just the second player in Cubs history with a 30/30 season to his name, Pete Crow-Armstrong will man center field for Team USA next month, looking to bring his explosive style of play to the world stage.

Last year, Crow-Armstrong punched a ticket to his first All-Star Game and brought home the Gold Glove for his defensive efforts in center field. He finished the year with 37 doubles, 31 home runs and 95 RBI - not to mention 35 stolen bases - and Cubs fans are well aware of all the different ways he can impact a game.

If Team USA wants to dethrone Japan this year, a big showing from PCA definitely wouldn't hurt. It's safe to say manager Mark DeRosa wouldn't be upset if Crow-Armstrong put on one of his one-man highlight reel acts next month.

Seiya Suzuki will be playing... center field?

That's right. Given the concerns many Cubs fans have about Seiya Suzuki returning to full-time duties in right field this year, seeing him penciled into center field may come as a surprise.

He actually got the start in center in the Cubs' Cactus League opener on Friday - and all indications point to Team Japan focusing on hanging crooked numbers on opponents in WBC play, hence pushing Suzuki into center. The 31-year-old veteran played his first MLB game in center last season. Prior to that, he hadn't appeared in a professional game in center since the 2017 WBC.

Suzuki is coming off a big year, offensively speaking, in which he eclipsed both 30 homers and 100 RBI for the first time as a big-leaguer. Heading into the final year of his contract, both he and the Cubs are hoping he can be a big-time run producer in 2026.