Michael

Busch

Busch takes a seat for the second straight contest with Philadelphia ace Cristopher Sánchez toeing the rubber during Monday’s series opener. The 28-year-old first baseman has gotten off to an abysmal start, hitting .135 (7-for-52) with zero homers and three RBI through 15 games. Carson Kelly takes over at first base to open the game. It’s not quite time to panic, but Busch could be limited to facing righties almost exclusively until he gets back on track.

Busch has been slumping badly at the dish, slashing a woeful .118/.220/.157 with zero homers, two RBI and a 12/7 K/BB ratio through his first 59 plate appearances. Hopefully a day off to clear his head will do him some good. Matt Shaw will start in his place at first base and will bat ninth for the Cubs against Brayan Bello and the Red Sox on Sunday.

Neither of Busch’s first two hits were well struck, but the third was a sharp opposite-field liner. With the injured Tyler Austin no longer a threat, Busch figures to start against most lefties, adding to his fantasy value even if he’s dropped from the leadoff spot in those situations.

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.