![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/L-Flag-2-e1551447895546-780x405.jpg\")
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The Cubs began the 2026 Cactus League season at Sloan Park against the White Sox Friday afternoon. Baseball was back but that was basically the only highlight for the home team as they went down to a lopsided defeat.<\/p>\n
Jameson Taillon<\/a> got the start for the North Siders and surrendered a 1st inning solo home run to Austin Hays<\/a> to begin the scoring. Seiya Suzuki<\/a> responded in the bottom half with his own homer off of Jonathan Cannon<\/a> to even things up.<\/p>\n Taillon ran into more problems in the 2nd inning giving up another homer as part of a three-run inning that put the White Sox on top 4-1. The road team continued to score and eventually would prevail by a final of 8-1. (Box score)<\/a><\/p>\n Key Moment<\/p>\n The Cubs fell behind and never came back after the big 2nd inning for the White Sox.<\/p>\n Why the Cubs Lost<\/p>\n A bad start and a lack of offense did them in on Friday.<\/p>\n Stats That Matter<\/p>\n Taillon continues to have issues giving up home runs, something he\u2019s hoping keep in check this year.Alex Bregman<\/a> went hitless in his first two at bats in a Cubs uniform.<\/p>\n Bottom Line<\/p>\n The long cold winter is over and baseball is back, there\u2019s not much better than that.<\/p>\n On Deck<\/p>\n The Texas Rangers come to Sloan Park Saturday to play the Cubs at 2:05pm CT. Matthew Boyd<\/a> takes the mound in a game broadcast on Marquee.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Follow Us<\/p>\n![\"Google](\"https:\/\/www.cubsinsider.com\/wp-content\/themes\/jannah\/assets\/images\/google-news.svg\")
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