Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run off Dylan Cease on Monday night, but his Cubs lost 10-4 to the Padres. Busch's home run continues a strong start to the season for the 27-year-old lefty, who is now up to a .310 batting average and .436 wOBA through his first 18 games with four homers, 12 runs scored, and 12 RBI. Busch's strong start and spot in the heart of the Cubs' productive batting order make him a solid option from the waiver wire in mixed leagues if available. He is still platooning a little bit and sitting against lefties, but when he is in the lineup, he has proven he can produce good run production numbers

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch had a big day at the dish on Saturday, going 4-for-6 with a homer, four runs scored, and three RBI. The Cubs demolished the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday afternoon, and Busch played a big part in that. The 27-year-old sophomore is off to a nice start this season, hitting .300 with a .926 OPS. If he can continue to build on last year, Busch should be a decent fantasy option in all formats. His only issue right now is that he isn't quite playing every day, but with more games like Saturday's that should figure itself out quickly.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch connected on his first home run of the season on Monday night against the Athletics. He finished 3-for-6 with two runs scored, a hit-by-pitch, and four RBI. The Cubs cleanup hitter got the 18-run onslaught started early with a two-run blast to right-center in the first inning off of Joey Estes. The 27-year-old has been locked in as the Cubs' cleanup hitter in the early going this season and has gone 7-for-24 (.292) with a .363 wOBA. He should continue to put up good run-production numbers as long as Chicago's offense is clicking on all cylinders. He hit 21 home runs in 152 games last season with a .336 wOBA, and he looks to be on roughly the same trajectory in the early part of the season.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The left-handed slugger will get the day off against southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez. Busch is 4-for-17 through the first five games of the season, so maybe a day off will help him get back on track. Justin Turner will take over at first base and bat cleanup against Rodriguez on Sunday. Turner probably won't have regular fantasy value in a bench role, but could be worth a look as streaming option on Sunday.

The Athletic's Patrick Mooney writes that the Chicago Cubs could pair the recently-signed Justin Turner, who hits right-handed, with left-handed-hitting Michael Busch at first base in 2025 while also getting him additional at-bats as the designated hitter. Turner has mainly played third base in his 16-year MLB career, but it's unclear how much the Cubs will use him there given his age (40) and the organization's high hopes for top prospect Matt Shaw (oblique). Shaw is dealing with an oblique injury early in camp, but as long as he's healthy, he's the favorite to be the team's Opening Day third baseman after the Cubs didn't sign Alex Bregman in free agency. Turner's power numbers have dropped considerably in recent seasons, but his presence as an option at first base against left-handers is a hit to Busch's overall fantasy upside in 2025.

Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro reports that it doesn't sound like Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch is an option to move across the diamond to third base next year after the team traded Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros last week. Instead, the Cubs could give the job to top prospect Matt Shaw if he earns the job in spring training. Busch has some experience playing third base in his career, but the Cubs would prefer to keep his solid glove at first heading into his second season with the team. In his first full year in the big leagues in 2024, the lefty hitting Busch batted .248/.335/.440 with 21 home runs, 65 RBI and 73 runs scored in 152 games played. He could build on his solid season in 2025, but Busch's limited positional versatility and struggles against left-handed pitching will limit his overall fantasy upside.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch (triceps) is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth for the Cubbies on Friday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Nick Martinez at Wrigley Field. Busch was hit by a pitch earlier this week and missed one game as a result, but he's back now and ready to go for the final three games of the 2024 regular season this weekend. Cody Bellinger is making another start at first base, with rookie Kevin Alcantara making his second big-league start in right field. Busch does not have a hit in four career at-bats against Martinez. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter has produced his first 20-homer season and has also driven in 65 in 149 games in his first full season in the majors with the Cubs in 2024. Busch has been cold at the plate lately, going 3-for-20 (.150) with a homer, double, one RBI and six strikeouts in his last seven games played.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch (triceps) is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's clash against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Busch was hit on his triceps by a pitch during Tuesday's contest and left the game early. As a result, he'll take the day off on Wednesday and should be considered day-to-day. With a scheduled day off on Thursday, the 26-year-old should have a good chance of returning for the final series of the year this weekend at Wrigley Field versus the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Cody Bellinger is starting at first base and is batting cleanup for the Cubs, with rookie Kevin Alcantara starting in right field and batting ninth in his big-league debut against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez. In his first full season in 2024 with the Cubs, Busch has reached the 20-homer mark while batting .252/.335/.446 with a .780 OPS.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch (arm) left Tuesday's contest early at Citizens Bank Park against the Philadelphia Phillies in the bottom of the second inning after being hit in the arm by a pitch in the second frame. Busch stayed in to run the bases but didn't come out following the half inning. Cody Bellinger moved from right field to first base, with Mike Tauchman entering the game in right field. It looked like Busch may have been hit in the elbow, but we'll know more once the team releases information on his status. The 26-year-old will likely have X-rays at the stadium, but even if he avoids any structural damage, he'll probably be in line for the day off on Wednesday. If it's a serious injury, Busch's season will be over. In his first full season in the big leagues with the Cubs this year, Busch produced 21 homers while hitting .252/.333/.446 with 65 RBI in 148 games played.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch was hot at the plate during Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. The left-handed slugger brought his pop with him to the plate as he blasted two home runs as part of a three-hit day. Busch knocked in three runs during this game to help the Cubbies get a much-needed win. The 26-year-old is now up to 20 home runs this season with four long balls in the month of September. Busch is looking like a solid long term option for the Cubs at first base, but we'll see what the team decides to do this offseason.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch had a day at the plate in Monday's 10-4 win over his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, at Dodger Stadium. Busch finished 4-for-5 with a home run, double, three RBI and three runs scored in the series opener on the road. For Busch, his home run was his first since Aug. 7. He got off to a hot start early in his first season with the Cubs but hasn't been as good since, and he's also hitting just .217 (5-for-23) with his home run last night, a double, four RBI, three walks and three strikeouts in seven games since the calendar flipped to September. Since the All-Star break in mid-July, Busch is slashing .216/.298/.373 with five home runs, seven doubles, a triple, 19 RBI, 18 walks, 43 strikeouts and one stolen base in 171 trips to the plate over 44 games played. He has certainly not been as good for fantasy managers in deeper leagues in the second half in 2024.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch will take a seat ahead of Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals. The lefty slugger will get the day off against a left-handed starting pitcher. The Cubs don't always platoon Busch, but they felt he needed a day off here. In his place, Patrick Wisdom will play first base and bat sixth versus southpaw Mitchell Parker. Normally, Wisdom is reliable against lefty pitching but is only hitting .219 with three home runs and 19 RBI against the southpaw this season. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help on Sunday.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch went 2-for-3 with a two-run shot in Saturday's loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The 26-year-old tallied his 15th round-tripper of the season in the opening frame by launching a two-run blast off Kyle Gibson which scored left fielder Ian Happ. This was his second long ball in as many games and third in the past week. Busch has performed very well in his first season as a full-time player. Through 106 games, the former first-round selection sits with a .260/.347/.462 line with 43 RBI and two swiped bags. Busch will be a popular play in DFS on Sunday night amid his power surge as he will face Cardinal right-hander Miles Mikolas who currently carries a hefty 4.99 ERA.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals. The lefty slugger will take a seat with left-hander Cole Ragans on the mound for KC. Busch isn't in a straight platoon situation but it's not shocking to see them resting him against a tough lefty such as Ragans. In his absence, Patrick Wisdom will cover first base and bat second on Sunday. Wisdom hits better off left-handed pitching and homered during their win on Saturday.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch will start Friday's series opener against the visiting New York Mets at Wrigley Field on the bench with left-hander Jose Quintana on the mound. In just 26 at-bats against left-handers this year, Busch has eight hits but hasn't gone deep against them. He'll take a seat anyway in favor of Patrick Wisdom, who will start at first and bat fifth against Quintana. Busch is currently riding a eight-game hitting streak in which he's gone 11-for-25 (.440) with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, three walks and six strikeouts in 28 plate appearances. In his first full season in the big leagues in 2024, Busch has provided some decent power as a corner-infield option in deep-mixed leagues with his nine home runs. Wisdom could be a smart sleeper choice for DFS lineups, as he's hitting .286 with a home run and RBI in seven career at-bats against Quintana.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch homered in Monday's 7-6 loss at the San Francisco Giants, his first dinger since going deep on May 28. Busch's ninth homer was a two-run shot in the sixth inning that gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead. He is hitting .324/.425/.471 with a .896 OPS in June. Overall, Busch is slashing .255/.350/.450 with a .800 OPS with 26 RBI and 31 runs scored. Busch is a solid second-tier first baseman whose value increases in leagues that use OBP or OPS as a category.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch will not be in the starting lineup for Friday's matinee affair against the visiting division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Cody Bellinger is making the start at first base and will bat third, while rookie Pete-Crow Armstrong is in center field and is hitting in the eight-hole against Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft. Bellinger is swinging a hot bat right now for fantasy managers and has a solo home run in two career at-bats against Ashcraft. The Cubs recalled Crow-Armstrong from the minors on Thursday, which means the 26-year-old Busch could see more frequent time on the bench if the team is adamant about getting Crow-Armstrong consistent playing time. Outside of homering in five straight games early in the season, Busch has disappointed in the month of May and is hitting .208 (15-for-72) with two homers, six RBI and 32 K's in 85 plate appearances.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch played the hero in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Padres. Busch went 2-for-4 with a single, a walk-off home run, and a strikeout. The 26-year-old has cooled off at the plate but is still slashing a respectable .262/.316/.500 with seven HR and 19 RBI in 136 plate appearances. Hopefully, he can get things firing on all cylinders again.

Chicago Cubs infielder Michael Busch is not in the team's starting lineup for Game 1 of a twin bill on Saturday against the Miami Marlins and left-hander Jesus Luzardo. The lefty-swinging Busch is off to a massive start to the season but has struggled in limited time against same-handed pitching. Busch has hit .317 with six home runs, three doubles, and a 1.067 OPS across 70 plate appearances on the season but is just 1-for-9 (.111) with a walk across only 10 trips to the plate against southpaw pitching. All nine of the 26-year-old's extra-base hits have come against right-handers. Despite his struggles against lefties, Busch has cemented himself as a strong fantasy asset, even at the first base position, with a history of hitting for big-time power in his minor-league career.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch and catcher Yan Gomes are not in the starting lineup on Friday against the visiting Miami Marlins and left-hander A.J. Puk. Garrett Cooper is playing first base and batting seventh in the lineup, while Miguel Amaya is doing the catching and batting in the nine-hole against Puk. Busch had a streak of five straight games with a home run come to an end this week and he's hitting a strong .317 (19-for-60) overall with six total long balls, 13 RBI and 10 runs scored to start his first year in Chicago. He's hit just .167 (4-for-24) and has yet to homer against a left-hander in his career, though, so he'll likely occasionally be rested against lefties this year. Cooper has never faced Puk in his career, while Amaya has a hit and RBI in his only career at-bat against the southpaw.