The Chicago Cubs now know the road that lies ahead in 2027, and once again, the season will begin with one of the toughest opening stretches in Major League Baseball.
MLB officially released the full 2027 regular-season schedule following the All-Star break, revealing that Craig Counsell’s club will once again be forced to navigate a demanding April loaded with playoff contenders, powerhouse pitching staffs, and lengthy road trips. For a team expected to contend for another postseason berth, the opening month could once again shape the trajectory of its entire season.
Another Grueling Opening Month Awaits
The Cubs proved in 2026 that they can overcome a difficult start to the schedule.
Despite opening the season against several of baseball’s strongest teams including multiple series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Arizona Diamondbacks Chicago exceeded expectations. Rather than simply surviving, the Cubs surged through the early schedule, putting together two separate 10-game winning streaks and quickly establishing themselves as one of the National League’s top clubs.
The challenge in 2027 appears equally daunting.
Assuming labor negotiations between MLB owners and players do not result in a lockout, Chicago will begin the season on March 25 against the Cleveland Guardians before facing division rival St. Louis Cardinals in one of the earliest rivalry matchups in recent memory.
The opening weeks provide a brief opportunity to build momentum with series against the Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, and Texas Rangers before the schedule intensifies dramatically.
Powerhouse Opponents Dominate April
Beginning April 13, the Cubs will enter one of the most difficult stretches any team will face during the 2027 season.
The first obstacle comes against the Philadelphia Phillies, a club loaded with star talent despite enduring a disappointing start in 2026. Philadelphia eventually recovered from its early-season slump after replacing manager Rob Thomson and re-emerged as a playoff contender, making another early meeting with the Phillies far from an easy assignment.
Following that series, Chicago heads west for consecutive road series against the defending powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Back-to-back West Coast trips have historically challenged even the league’s best teams due to travel demands, and facing two postseason-caliber opponents only increases the degree of difficulty.
Division Rivals Add to the Challenge
The difficult schedule continues once the Cubs return home.
Chicago will host an improving Pittsburgh Pirates club that has rapidly emerged as a legitimate National League contender behind ace Paul Skenes and an increasingly talented young roster featuring players such as Konnor Griffin and offseason acquisition Ryan O’Hearn.
Immediately afterward, the Cubs welcome another familiar rival the Milwaukee Brewers.
Milwaukee has continued its reputation for developing elite talent and remains one of the Cubs’ biggest obstacles in the NL Central. The Brewers enter 2027 with one of baseball’s strongest pitching staffs, led by breakout superstar Jacob Misiorowski, whose dominant 2026 campaign has established him among the game’s elite starters.
Top prospect Jesús Made could also be part of Milwaukee’s roster by the time that late-April showdown arrives, adding another dangerous weapon to an already formidable club.
Little Time to Recover
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of Chicago’s schedule is the lack of recovery time.
The Cubs will play 15 consecutive games without an off day during the heart of this challenging stretch, forcing the pitching staff and bullpen to shoulder an enormous workload.
After finally receiving a day off on April 29, the relief is short-lived.
Chicago immediately opens May with a three-game series against the New York Yankees before traveling for another four-game matchup against the Pirates and then taking on the Seattle Mariners, a team that narrowly missed reaching the World Series in 2026 and remains loaded with talent.
Overall, the Cubs are scheduled to play 25 games in just 26 days, with nearly every opponent expected to contend for a playoff spot.
Strong Start Could Be Critical
Despite the intimidating schedule, the Cubs have already demonstrated they can thrive against elite competition.
Simply finishing around the .500 mark during this demanding stretch would likely keep Chicago firmly in the National League playoff race before the schedule becomes more manageable in May, when series against the Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, Washington Nationals, and Kansas City Royals provide opportunities to gain ground in the standings.
Second-Half Reinforcements Could Change Everything
The Cubs also have reason for optimism beyond April.
Highly regarded young pitcher Cade Horton is expected to return later in the 2027 season after recovering from Tommy John surgery, potentially giving Chicago another frontline starter as the playoff race intensifies.
If the front office strengthens the rotation through offseason moves and the trade deadline while avoiding another wave of injuries, the Cubs could enter the second half with one of the National League’s deepest pitching staffs.
Still, success in October may depend largely on how well Chicago survives one of baseball’s toughest opening schedules.
With another gauntlet awaiting in April, the Cubs will once again need to prove they can withstand early adversity if they hope to fulfill what are expected to be championship-level expectations in 2027.
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