The 2026 MLB spring training season kicked off with the Chicago White Sox defeating the Cubs 8-1 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, in the Cactus League opener. Notable debuts included White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami and Cubs star Seiya Suzuki, with Suzuki offering Murakami advice about Chicago's cold weather. Murakami, who had a busy day, went 2-for-4 with a two-run double after arriving late due to traffic. The game featured a mix of veterans and prospects, with Sox prospect Sam Antonacci hitting a two-run homer and pitcher Jonathan Cannon starting for the White Sox. Murakami is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Friday, and other players are participating in the World Baseball Classic. The season is seen as potentially the last if a lockout occurs, but fans are eager to enjoy the games. Both teams are optimistic, with the Cubs adding key players like Bregman and Cabrera, aiming for a playoff run, while the White Sox focus on developing their roster and competing for starting spots. The game marked the return of baseball excitement, with fans and players alike embracing the start of the season amid ongoing league negotiations.