Matt Marton - USA Today Sports
Matt Marton - USA Today Sports

First Look at Cubs homestand: Promotions, Events, and Food


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CHICAGO – Following the 2018 All-Star break, the Chicago Cubs return to Wrigley Field for the final homestand of July. The team will host a nine-game homestand featuring visits from division rival St. Louis Cardinals July 19-22, which includes the April 16 makeup game, and the Arizona Diamondbacks July 23-26.

On Friday, July 20, fans can catch the country's top high school baseball players as they gather at Wrigley Field for the 2018 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, powered by Baseball Factory, at 7:30 p.m. CDT. The game features intense competition, instruction and national exposure for participating players. For a limited time only, fans can secure complimentary tickets to this exciting event by simply visiting the Cubs Store at Gallagher Way. For more information, visit www.cubs.com/uagame.

Also happening postgame Friday, July 20, Cubs All-Star pitcher Jon Lester and his wife Farrah will host the Third Annual NVRQT Goes Country fundraiser at Joe’s Bar on Weed Street from 6-10 p.m. CDT. The event is open to adults age 21 and older. The night will feature a barbecue buffet dinner, cocktails and a premium silent and live auction. Guests can play festival games with Cubs players and enjoy live entertainment from national country recording artists. Proceeds from the evening's event will benefit the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF), a nonprofit dedicated to research, education and lifesaving advancement for children with cancer. Limited tickets are still available. For more information, visit www.cubs.com/nvrqt.

Highlights of the homestand follow.

Food and Beverage Offerings:

The Chicago Cubs and hospitality partner Levy continue their crowd-pleasing Chef Series presented by Maker’s Mark for a second year with an expanded lineup of local celebrity chefs. Fans can expect a dynamic menu of offerings inspired by the chefs’ signature items and their take on ballpark favorites.

This homestand, Rick Bayless, 2017 James Beard Outstanding Restaurant recipient and lauded TV host, will feature flavors inspired by Cruz Blanca July 19-26 at the Sheffield Corner near the Wintrust Right Field Gate.

The following menu items will be served during his rotation at Wrigley Field:

· Hatch green chile chicken tacos on artisan corn tortillas with grilled Gunthorp chicken, creamy Hatch green chile sauce, red chile and cotija cheese

· Carnitas tacos on artisan corn tortillas with crispy garlic pork shoulder, habanero-avocado salsa and pickled onions

· Toto elotes with just-made chips topped with roasted corn, lime “crema,” red chile and cotija cheese

· Frontera guacamole with Alejandrina avocados, tomatillos, serrano chiles, cilantro, onions and just-made chips

Hot Doug’s continues its rotating selections on Platform 14, located behind the center field scoreboard in the Budweiser Bleachers. Served this homestand are the Rick Wrona, a smoked Hungarian sausage with smoked paprika mustard and smoked gouda; the Carlos Marmol, a baked ham sausage with sweet and spicy mustard and pineapple salsa; and the Gene Clines, a spicy Vienna Beef Polish sausage with sweet and spicy mustard, caramelized onions and cheddar cheese.

Cubs Charities and Community Events:

Cubs manager Joe Maddon will once again support Chicago nonprofit organizations through his “Respect Community” charity T-shirt initiative. After every Friday home game, Maddon will represent a different Chicago nonprofit by wearing the organization’s T-shirt during his postgame press conference. Joe Maddon’s “Respect Community” shirt Friday, July 20, is Jon Lester’s NVRQT (short for "never quit"), which raises money for pediatric cancer research.

The Cubs leadership team and front office associates, including Executive Vice President and General Manager Jed Hoyer, will host a signing ceremony for the incoming 2018 Cubs Scholars class and celebrate the college selections of the 2017 graduate class, Monday, July 23, at 7:30 a.m. in the American Airlines Conference Center located at 1101 W. Waveland Avenue. The 2018 Cubs Scholars class includes five high school seniors selected based on Cubs Scholars criteria. The students will collectively receive $100,000 in scholarships and take part in the Cubs College Prep program where they will be paired with a Cubs associate who serves as a mentor as they prepare for college. In addition to Cubs College Prep, Cubs Charities will sponsor each of the five Cubs Scholars in a five-year college preparation and persistence program offered by Chicago Scholars, an established mentoring program serving inner-city students.

On Tuesday, July 24, Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward will welcome youth from Future Ties to Wrigley Field for an evening of baseball and fun. Earlier this year, the Heyward Family Fund provided a $100,000 donation to support Future Ties, a nonprofit that provides after-school academic support, mentorship, life skills and summer programing to young adults in Chicago’s Woodlawn community.

Homestand Details July 19-July 26:

Thursday, July 19, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:05 p.m.

· First pitch: Manchester City Football Club legend Paul Dickov

· Broadcast: ESPN, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Friday, July 20, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 1:20 p.m.

· Promotion: Cubs Bottle Opener Sunglasses presented by Budweiser, up to the first 5,000 early arriving Budweiser Bleacher adults age 21 and older

· First pitch: MasterChef Junior season six winner and Chicago native Beni Cwiakala

· First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Country music star Canaan Smith

· Broadcast: NBC Sports Chicago, MLB Network, 670 The Score, WRTO 1200, Cubs.com

· Postgame: 2018 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, powered by Baseball Factory

· Postgame: Jon Lester’s NVRQT Goes Country fundraiser at Joe’s Bar on Weed Street

Saturday, July 21, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 12:05 p.m. (April 16 makeup game)

· Broadcast: WGN, MLB Network, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Saturday, July 21, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:15 p.m.

· First pitch: Purdue University head football coach Jeff Brohm

· Broadcast: FOX, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Sunday, July 22, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 1:20 p.m.

· 7th inning stretch: Actress Elisabeth Moss

· Promotion: Cubs Pillowcase presented by Mastercard, up to the first 5,000 early arriving children 13 and younger

· Broadcast: ABC 7, TBS, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

· Postgame: Kids Run the Bases, first 1,000 children 13 and younger

Monday, July 23, Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 7:05 p.m.

· National anthem: Cast members from the musical Heartbreak Hotel

· First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Actor and Chicago native Nick Offerman

· Promotion: Javier Báez Bobblehead presented by Garrett Popcorn Shops, up to the first 10,000 early arriving fans

· Broadcast: NBC Sports Chicago, ESPN, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Tuesday, July 24, Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 7:05 p.m.

· First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Former Chicago Blackhawks player and TV analyst Eddie Olczyk

· Promotion: 1979-81 Cubs Replica Away Jersey presented by Benjamin Moore, up to the first 10,000 early arriving fans

· Broadcast: WGN, MLB Network, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Wednesday, July 25, Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 1:20 p.m.

· First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Former Cubs outfielder and TV analyst David DeJesus

· Broadcast: NBC Sports Chicago, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Thursday, July 26, Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 1:20 p.m.

· First pitch: Actresses from the Netflix show “Orange Is The New Black” Taylor Schilling, Dascha Polanco and Kate Mulgrew

· 7th inning stretch: Former Cubs TV broadcaster and current Diamondbacks TV broadcaster Bob Brenly

· Broadcast: NBC Sports Chicago, MLB Network, 670 The Score, WRTO 1200, Cubs.com

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