Chicago Cubs Lineup (2/23/26): PCA Batting Leadoff, Prospects Galore, Brown Starting

Maybe don’t start this one off with a triple play, huh? That wild flub would have been more fitting since the Cubs are in Surprise to take on the Royals today, but maybe the surprise will be that they actually win the game. Being a road contest means most of the regulars will be swinging golf clubs instead of bats this afternoon, which gives us a chance to see all those linemen and wide receivers earlier than usual.

Except that we can’t actually see them at all because there’s no TV broadcast of the game. Like, at all. At least you can pick up the Royals’ radio broadcast if you’re so inclined. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads off in center in this one, followed by James Triantos at DH and Jefferson Rojas at short. B.J. Murray has probably gotten the most playing time of anyone so far, and he’s playing first today. Pedro Ramirez is at third, Justin Dean is in right, Scott Kingery is at second, friend of the program Brett Bateman is in left, and Ariel Armas does the catching.

Ben Brown is on the bump as he looks to carve out a regular role in the bullpen following his somewhat erratic performance last season. He tinkered with a kick change but never really got it to stick, and now he’s working on a sinker that could become a viable third or fourth pitch. I’d say it’ll be nice to see it in action, but, you know…

Going for the Royals is veteran righty Seth Lugo, who is in his third year with KC. Really no reason to bother with any sort of analysis, so I’ll just give us all back a little time.

First pitch is at 2:05pm CT.

Your starting lineup at Kansas City: pic.twitter.com/WmpmcnPodu

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 23, 2026