The way Pete Crow-Armstrong swung the bat in Tuesday's World Baseball Classic game against Italy likely has Cubs fans even more ready to start the season.
Crow-Armstrong's two-homer, four-RBI performance in Team USA's 8-6 loss to Italy reminded the North Side faithful of just how much the center fielder can change a game -- and no doubt left them excited for what the 2026 campaign could hold.
2026 World Baseball Classic
Pool B (Houston) & Pool D (Miami) presented by Capital One
• Tiebreaker scenarios for USA, Mexico, Italy
• How to watch games live
• Scores and schedule
• Standings and tiebreakers
• Tickets and venues
• Rosters
• Players by MLB team
• Complete coverage
PCA was an MVP front-runner for the first few months last season before tailing off and finishing ninth in the voting. Still, the soon-to-be 24-year-old put up a 6 bWAR season, joining the 30-30 club in what was an All-Star campaign. Another year like that would certainly bode well for the Cubs' chances to reach the postseason for a second straight season.
So far in the Classic, Crow-Armstrong has hit .300 for Team USA and is tied with Aaron Judge for the team lead in homers. It's a small sample, to be sure. But Cubs fans have to like what they saw Tuesday with Opening Day just around the corner.