Busch went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Busch ceded leadoff duties to Nico Hoerner with the Cubs facing lefty starter Yusei Kikuchi, but the former only slid down to fifth in the order and still turned in a strong effort. The Chicago first baseman is reportedly going to face southpaws more often this season, and Wednesday was a strong showing in that regard. While Busch will likely still perform better against righties overall, his ability to stay in the lineup most days should only boost his fantasy stock.

Busch went 3-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 10-4 loss to the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Like he did much of last season, Busch batted first on Opening Day, and the Chicago first baseman picked up right where he left off after an impressive 2025 campaign. Busch batted first with Washington starting righty Cade Cavalli, though the Cubs have said the left-handed bat won't be deployed strictly in a platoon, so he should have plenty of opportunities against southpaws moving forward.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell suggested Saturday that Busch won't be deployed in a platoon to open the season and has earned the right to play regularly versus left-handed pitchers, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Busch is coming off a breakthrough 2025 campaign in which he slashed .261/.343/.523 with 34 home runs, but the left-handed-hitting first baseman was largely shielded from same-handed pitching and did the overwhelming share of his damage versus righties, whom he faced for 497 of his 592 plate appearances. The Cubs signed the right-handed-hitting Tyler Austin this winter with the intention of having him fill the short side of a platoon, but with Austin now set to miss multiple months after recently undergoing a knee procedure, Counsell appears content to give Busch a full run of at-bats at first base. While the added exposure to lefties could lead to a drop in his batting average, Busch could increase his output in the counting categories due to the higher overall volume of plate appearances.

Busch went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.

EDGE Analysis

Busch put the game away with his left-on-left homer off Robert Gasser in the eighth inning, which pushed Busch's playoff OPS to 1.162. His four homers this postseason lead the majors -- one more than Vladimir Guerrero and Teoscar Hernandez. It's still possible Busch starts Game 5 on the bench if the Brewers go with a lefty opener, but he should enter as soon as a right-hander takes the mound for the opposition.

Busch is not in the lineup Monday for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Brewers, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Brewers are starting a left-handed opener in Aaron Ashby, so the Cubs are going with the right-handed-hitting Justin Turner at first base and in the leadoff spot. Per Montemurro, Busch is likely to replace Turner after the latter receives one plate appearance and the Brewers bring a right-hander into the game. Busch has homered in each of his last two postseason contests.

Busch went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's Wild-Card win over the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Busch gave the Cubs an insurance run with his home run to lead off the seventh inning. It also marked the first postseason home run of his career. Busch went 4-for-10 in three games against the Padres.

Busch went 4-for-4 with a walk, a double, a triple, two home runs and four RBI in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

The first baseman traded a cycle for a multi-homer game as he finishes out the regular season on a heater. Over his last 16 games, Busch is batting .339 (19-for-56) with eight of his career-high 34 homers on the season, along with six doubles, a triple, 13 runs and 14 RBI. The 27-year-old slugger has become a fixture in the leadoff spot against right-handed pitching, a role he should retain when the Cubs begin their playoff run in the wild-card round Tuesday against the Padres.

Busch went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a home run, an additional run scored and two RBI in Friday's 12-1 win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Busch was one of four Chicago players to go deep as the Cubs routed their rivals from St. Louis. The powerful first baseman has homered six times in his last 13 games, upping his season total to 32 long balls. Busch has tacked on an .844 OPS and 86 RBI in what's been an impressive offensive campaign for the 27-year-old.

Busch went 2-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 10-3 win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Busch has been on a power surge with five home runs across his last 11 games, pushing him to a career-high 31 long balls for the season. The left-handed slugger continues to do most of his damage against righties, as he's sporting an .875 OPS in those matchups and has hit 27 of his homers, though Wednesday's shot came against New York southpaw Sean Manaea.

Busch went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Busch took Cincinnati starter Zack Littell deep in the third inning, giving him 30 homers in a season for the first time in his MLB career. The Chicago first baseman has been on a power surge lately, as he now has four long balls across his last eight games. Busch should remain a key offensive cog for the Cubs as they head into the playoffs, though he figures to remain on the bench when the team faces a lefty starter.