5 things to know as Big League Weekend returns to Las Vegas

Las Vegas Review-Journal

6 years ago

Chicago Cubs’ Kris Bryant (17) bats against the Cincinnati Reds during their Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) throws out a runner during a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Sunday, March 26, 2017. (Brett Le Blanc/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bleblancphoto

Chicago Cubs’ Kris Bryant (17) returns to the dugout after scoring a home run against the Cincinnati Reds during their Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Chicago Cubs’ Kris Bryant (17) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Cincinnati during their Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Chicago Cubs’ Kris Bryant (17) prepares to bat against the Cincinnati Reds during their Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Chicago Cubs’ Kris Bryant (17) gets out Cincinnati Reds right fielder Patrick Kivlehan (75) at first base during their Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Chicago Cubs’ Kris Bryant (17) signs autographs for fans before playing the Cincinnati Reds in the Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Chicago Cubs’ Kris Bryant (17) scores a run against the Cincinnati Reds during their Big League Weekend baseball game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto

Two of MLB’s best teams will be in Las Vegas next weekend when Big League Weekend returns to Cashman Field.

The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians will meet at 4:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. March 18. The teams played in the 2016 World Series, which the Cubs won in seven games for their first title since 1908.

Here are five things to know before Big League Weekend:

Kris Bryant will be in town

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant returns to his hometown for the series.

The Bonanza High alumnus went 3-for-5 with a home run, four runs and two RBIs last year during Big League Weekend.

Bryant followed his 2016 MVP season by hitting .295 with 29 home runs and 162 hits in 151 games last season.

All-Stars on the field

We don’t know yet the rosters for the weekend series, but chances are you will see some quality players.

The Indians had five All-Stars last season, including Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and star shortstop Francisco Lindor.

Along with Bryant, the Cubs brought Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber to Las Vegas last year.

Division favorites

The Indians won the American League Central each of the past two seasons. They lost to the Yankees in the American League Division Series last season.

The Cubs won the National League Central each of the past two seasons. They lost to the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series last season.

Both are favored to repeat as division winners.

World Series rematch

Sure, it’s spring training, but it will be fun to watch the two teams that played in one of the best World Series in recent memory.

The Cubs beat the Indians 8-7 in Game 7 in 2016 after Cleveland’s Rajai Davis tied the score 6-6 with a two-run homer off Aroldis Chapman in the bottom of the eighth inning.

After a 17-minute rain delay, the Cubs scored twice in the 10th to end their 108-year championship drought.

Cashman Field finale

Construction on Las Vegas Ballpark is underway, and it’s scheduled to be ready for the start of the 2019 season.

That would make this the final Big League Weekend at Cashman Field.

But it won’t be the final Big League Weekend. In fact, there’s talk about expanding it to four games at the new ballpark.

Contact Betsy Helfand at bhelfand@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BetsyHelfand on Twitter.