Michael

Busch

Counsell told reporters that Busch has “earned the right” to get a chance to face southpaws. While it’s possible the 28-year-old won’t handle them well, it does give him a chance to add more counting stats, which is always nice. Busch hit 34 homers with an .866 OPS in 2025, and similiar — if not better — production is feasible for the former first-round pick this summer.

The Cubs have made only two lineup changes all series, dropping Ian Happ from third to fifth after Game 1 and initially using Justin Turner over Michael Busch against a left-handed opener in Game 3. Tonight’s lineup: Busch (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Kyle Tucker (DH), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Happ (LF), Carson Kelly (C), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Dansby Swanson (SS) and Matt Shaw (3B).

Chicago will attempt to stave off elimination for the second straight contest at Wrigley Field by rolling out the exact same lineup, which features Busch in the leadoff spot to face Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. The 27-year-old slugger blasted a solo homer — his third postseason round-tripper — in the Cubs’ pivotal Game 3 win. Here’s the full lineup: Busch (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Kyle Tucker (DH), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Ian Happ (LF), Carson Kelly (C), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Dansby Swanson (SS) and Matt Shaw (3B).

Busch tied the game at 1-1 with his solo blast off a wholly ineffective Quinn Priester, and Chicago would score three more runs in the first frame. The 27-year-old has homered three times in the playoffs, and is slashing a healthy .300/.364/.750 in the process. Chicago remains alive, but faces another must-win game Thursday in Game 4.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell will shake things up with veteran Justin Turner leading off, while Michael Busch starts on the bench. Lefty opener Aaron Ashby will take the ball for Milwaukee to kick off the contest before Quinn Priester enters in a bulk relief role. Here’s the full lineup: Turner (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Kyle Tucker (DH), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Ian Happ (LF), Carson Kelly (C), Pete Crow-Armstring (CF), Dansby Swanson (SS) and Matt Shaw (3B).

Suzuki has been bumped up to the cleanup spot to face Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, with Ian Happ moved down a couple spots, after going 3-for-11 with one homer and a pair of doubles in Chicago’s Wild Card Series victory over San Diego. The 31-year-old corner outfielder finished the season with an impressive power surge and is clearly building some momentum heading into fantasy drafts next spring. Here’s the full lineup: Michael Busch (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Kyle Tucker (DH), Suzuki (RF), Happ (LF), Carson Kelly (C), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Dansby Swanson (SS) and Matt Shaw (3B).

The Cubs advance to face the division-rival Brewers in the NLDS. Busch led off the first inning with a single but was erased on a fielder’s choice. He also reached on an infield single to start the fifth inning before getting erased on a double play. The 27-year-old slugger then tagged Padres closer Robert Suarez for a 400-foot solo shot in the seventh inning that tacked on a valuable insurance run.

Busch got a little wind assistance on both homers, but that’s quite a day. It’s the 13th time this season a player has had four extra-base hits in a game. No Cub had done it since Willson Contreras on May 11, 2018. He’s up to 34 homers, the fourth-highest total ever for a Cubs first baseman. Derrek Lee had 46 in 2005 and 35 in 2009, and Ernie Banks had 37 in 1962.

Busch put the Cubs on the board in the third inning, taking Zack Littell deep for a solo home run. It was the 30th homer of the season for 27-year-old first baseman as he eclipses the 30-homer mark for the first time. He’s slashing .255/.335/.495 with 82 RBI across 564 plate appearances.

Busch took Pirates ace Paul Skenes deep to open the contest — his 29th round-tripper of the season — as part of an impressive three-hit performance out of the leadoff spot. The 27-year-old first baseman has gone deep in four of his last five contests and is on the precipice of eclipsing the 30-homer plateau for the first time in his career.