South Bend opens season against Quad Cities in familiar Midwest League matchup

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Opening Day has arrived at Four Winds Field, and the South Bend Cubs will begin the 2026 season Friday night against a familiar opponent, the Quad Cities River Bandits. It is South Bend’s first home opener since 2022, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.  

The Cubs and River Bandits met 12 times during the 2025 season, and they will see each other even more often this year. South Bend’s 2026 schedule has the clubs facing off 15 times, including nine games at Four Winds Field and six in Iowa.

Quad Cities enters the new season with momentum after finishing 74-58 in 2025, the best record in the Midwest League West Division, while South Bend finished 56-75 last year.

The River Bandits also bring one of the more decorated franchises in the league into South Bend. Quad Cities won Midwest League championships in 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2021, and the club has been recognized as the first team in league history to win four titles in a 10-season span. One of the headliners for Quad Cities is left-hander David Shields, the Royals’ No. 4 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

South Bend’s roster features several notable Cubs prospects as well. Outfielder Kane Kepley is ranked No. 6 in the organization, catcher Owen Ayers is No. 11 and right-hander Jostin Florentino is No. 18, according to MLB Pipeline’s 2026 rankings.

Another player to watch is outfielder Kade Snell, a 2025 fifth-round pick out of Alabama who joined South Bend late last season. Snell said the Cubs want to keep carrying their spring momentum into the regular season, especially on the bases.

“We had a good spring training, so we are just trying to carry it onto this year and keep the stolen bases coming,” Snell said.”

South Bend has won five Midwest League titles, including its most recent crown in 2022. The Cubs’ 2022 championship gave the organization its second title in three seasons.