Cubs Vs Guardians: Cleveland Home Opener Friday Brings TV Options and an Ohio City Parade to Progressive Field
cubs vs guardians takes center stage Friday as the Cleveland Guardians open their home schedule at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The matchup marks Cleveland’s first home series of the season and arrives after the Guardians opened the year on the road. The day also stretches beyond baseball, with Ohio City rolling out a new Home Opener tradition that ends in a parade to the ballpark.
How to watch Cubs Vs Guardians: Channels listed for Friday night
Fans looking to follow Friday night’s cubs vs guardians game have multiple viewing options listed for the broadcast: Marquee Sports Network, Guardians. TV, and MLB. TV. The game is the Guardians’ home opener, with Cleveland hosting the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field.
On the field, Cleveland entered the home opener at 4-3 after a seven-game road trip out west. The Guardians alternated wins and losses during that trip, splitting four games with the Seattle Mariners and taking two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chicago’s early slate included a home series loss to the Washington Nationals before the Cubs won a series against the Los Angeles Angels.
Guardians and Cubs enter the opener with early-season storylines
Cleveland’s road trip included offensive struggles described as a. 189/. 273/. 322 slash line, with four home runs from rookie right fielder Chase DeLauter. Third baseman Jose Ramirez, identified as an All-Star, began the season 4-for-28 and hit his first home run of the season Wednesday night in a win over the Dodgers.
For Chicago, Ian Happ hit three home runs during the opening homestand. Nico Hoerner opened 7-for-22 and was noted as sharing the major-league lead with four stolen bases.
On the mound, Cleveland listed left-hander Joey Cantillo for Friday after a start against the Mariners in which he allowed two runs on four hits, with three walks and five strikeouts, needing 91 pitches to get through 3. 2 innings. Chicago listed right-hander Cade Horton as the tentative starter after earning a win against Washington with 6. 1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits.
Ohio City launches a new Home Opener tradition with a parade to Progressive Field
While fans prepare for first pitch, Ohio City is staging a neighborhood celebration designed to become part of the Home Opener routine. Organizers launched a new tradition Friday with a neighborhood party at Market Square Park that ends with a parade to Progressive Field.
Connor Dickey, director of marketing for Ohio City, said the idea came from years of informal celebrations. “I felt like no one had ever organized everyone, we were all just walking neighbor by neighbor, and so I wanted to put a little bit more of a special touch on that and make it an organized event for everyone, ” Dickey said.
Dickey also pointed to the location as part of the plan to draw people in. “It’s an enjoyable part of Ohio City, it’s the front doorstep to the district and we want to showcase that to the greater region, ” he said.
The free celebration starts at 10 a. m. Friday at Market Square Park and includes food, live music, a beer tent, and a parade to Progressive Field around 1: 45 p. m. led by the Guardians mascot Slider. Fifteen local vendors and businesses are participating, with special menus and happy hours all day. “Businesses are gearing up and have tons of specials, a lot of them are donating time to this to make sure it all comes together, ” Dickey said.
Quick context and what’s next for cubs vs guardians on Home Opener Friday
The Guardians finished last season 88-74 overall and 45-36 at home, while the Cubs went 92-70 overall and 42-39 on the road. Cleveland’s opening stretch came on the road against the Mariners and the Dodgers before returning to Progressive Field for Friday night’s cubs vs guardians game.
Next up: the Guardians’ first home series continues after the opener, while Ohio City organizers say they hope the parade-and-party format becomes a lasting tradition tied to future home openers.
