The Chicago Cubs are in London. Finally.
Initially scheduled to play the St. Louis Cardinals in the London Series in 2020, the rescheduled games will take place Saturday and Sunday at London Stadium.
Our Cubs reporter Meghan Montemurro is headed across the pond to document it all. Follow her on Twitter at @m_montemurro, keep up with the daily sights on our Instagram and read it all at chicagotribune.com/cubs.
Here’s what to know about the London Series, including how — and what time — to watch the games.
Why were the games delayed three years?
The pandemic forced the cancellation of the series in the shortened 2020 baseball season.
When the games were first announced in 2019, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant were photoshopped as Paul McCartney and George Harrison on the iconic “Abbey Road” cover to promote the London games. But Bryzzo is now gone, as is former Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who had the John Lennon spot in the photo, retired after last season.
Have the Cubs played outside the United States before?
The Cubs are playing internationally for the second time.
They opened the 2000 season in Tokyo for two games versus the New York Mets — the first regular-season games outside North America. The Cubs won the first game 5-3 in front of 55,000 at the Tokyo Dome on March 29, then lost the next day 5-1.
That trip marked the end of extended absence for the Cubs, who had been in the United States for a week and most had not been home since mid-February at spring training. “I know everybody in the clubhouse is ready to get home,” then-manager Don Baylor said.
The Cubs also traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico — a U.S. territory — to play a three-game series against the Montreal Expos in 2003.
What’s the history of the series?
The weekend set will be the second time regular-season MLB games will be played in the United Kingdom’s capital.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees played in the inaugural series in 2019 at London Stadium. The Yankees won both high-scoring games: 17-13 on June 29 and 12-8 on June 30. The teams combined for 10 home runs.
Then-Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attended the first game.
“Y.M.C.A.” and “Sweet Caroline” were both played during the game, as per traditions at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park.
MLB plans to stage games in London in 2024 and 2026 — with Paris being eyed as a host city in 2025.
Is London ready this time around?
The fences were pushed back at London Stadium — but MLB says that’s not due to 2019 slugfests.
The center-field wall will be 392 feet from the plate, 7 feet deeper than four years ago, as part of changes from seat restructuring.
Even with the increase, the center-field fence would be among the shortest in the majors. The 16-foot wall in center field is back; it slopes down on both sides to 8 feet around the rest of the outfield.
Down each line will be 330 feet — same as last time — but the seating adjustments will bring fans closer to the field.
The Cubs will have the home dugout down the third-base line for both games.
The artificial turf is from Montreal — the 2019 turf was donated to the Farnham Park national baseball and softball complex outside London — and the clay is again from Slippery Rock, Pa.
London Stadium in 2021 upgraded to an LED lighting system. Previously, the stadium lights were covered in chicken wire to protect them from flying baseballs.
The venue was built for the 2012 Olympics and was designed for minimal wind. It’s often still called Olympic Stadium. Capacity is 62,500 for West Ham games.
Going to the games?
There are still tickets available for both games, starting at about $116.85 on Saturday and down to $76.02 on Sunday.
Several “local” food options from Chicago and St. Louis will be at London Stadium, including the London Series Boomstick Hot Dog and Chilli Nachos, the St. Louis Donut Burger, Cardinals and Cubs Dogs and Chicago Cheesy Brisket Sandwich. Sorry, deep-dish pizza, better luck next time.
For London fans without tickets to the game, Trafalgar Square is the place to be. The Square is being turned into baseball central — including the game on three giant screens, free of charge.
How to watch the games from the States
First pitch Saturday is slated for 6:10 p.m. in London, which is 12:10 p.m. in Chicago. For Sunday, it’s 3:10 p.m. local time and 9:10 a.m. in Chicago.
Justin Steele will start Saturday’s game for the Cubs, with Marcus Stroman getting the nod Sunday.
Both games will get the national TV treatment: FOX on Saturday and ESPN on Sunday.
See you then for high tea!
The Associated Press contributed.
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