The First Lineup of the Year!

CUBS LINEUP — Boy, oh boy, do I really like right this moment. In only a few brief hours, the Cubs will open up their extremely anticipated 2026 season with the first of a three-game set in opposition to the Nationals at Wrigley Field. Matthew Boyd is on the bump for the Cubs. Cade Cavalli toes the rubber for DC, and this is a take a look at the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP OF THE SEASON!

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Michael Busch, 1B
2. Alex Bregman, 3B
3. Ian Happ, L.F.
4. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
5. Nico Hoerner, 2B
6. Carson Kelly
7. Moises Ballesteros, DH
8. Dansby Swanson, SS
9. Matt Shaw, R.F.

Okay, first issues first: As anticipated, Michael Busch is main off for the Cubs, which is the place he completed the 12 months final season. I think Nico Hoerner will lead off in opposition to lefties, however Busch ought to be the man in opposition to righties.

After that, you have received Alex Bregman, the Cubs massive offseason addition, batting second, additionally the place he was for many of the spring, adopted by Ian Happ batting third.

Normally, I’d suppose, Seiya Suzuki would bat cleanup after Happ, breaking apart the lefties, however Suzuki is on the IL, so everybody strikes as much as a spot. That means PCA is batting cleanup in right this moment’s Cubs lineup (and doubtless for the subsequent week and a half/till Seiya comes again).

PCA is adopted by a pair of righties, Nico Hoerner and Carson Kelly, after which we get to Moises Ballesteros, the beginning DH on Opening Day. Ballesteros, 22, is one of the youthful gamers you will see in a beginning lineup this good, and for good purpose. We all (together with the Cubs in that) imagine in his bat THAT a lot.

Swanson follows, batting eighth, and it’s Matt Shaw, not Michael Conforto or Dylan Carlson, getting the Opening Day nod in proper discipline. I’m greater than okay with that alternative, however I’m additionally modestly stunned. I assumed for certain it might be Comfortable. Either means, this Suzuki absence is an efficient alternative for Shaw to get on a regular basis at-bats in addition to extra publicity in proper discipline, the place he most likely wants some extra seasoning, however has the abilities to make it work defensively.

All in all, this can be a nice first Cubs lineup. I would not change a factor. Go get ’em, boys.

Washington Nationals Lineup:

1. James Wood, L.F.
2. Andres Chaparro, 1B
3. Brady House, 3B
4. Daylen Lile, D.H.
5. Joey Wiemer, R.F.
6. C.J. Abrams, S.S.
7. Nasim Nuñez, 2B
8. Keibert Ruiz, C
9. Jacob Young

Pitching Matchups:

Chicago Cubs: Matthew Boyd

Last season, his first in a Cubs uniform, was actually a story of two Matthew Boyds. The 35-year-old lefty received off to an unimaginable begin, effectively past the midway level, evolving into the Cubs’ clear No. 1 starter by the finish of July: First 20 begins, 118.2 IP, 2.20 ERA.

But then, as fatigue set in, he pale laborious down the stretch: Final 11 begins, 61.0 IP, 5.16 ERA.

Given his harm historical past and the way few innings he had pitched in the previous seasons, I’m nonetheless amazed we received even THAT a lot out of him. And, to be truthful, he did an important job serving to the Cubs power Game 5 of the NLDS along with his 4.2 shutout innings in Game 4. But, yeah, the magic undoubtedly wore off in August and September.

The hope this 12 months (and definitely for right this moment) could be that he is each stronger (after constructing again up final season) and rested (after the winter) sufficient to climb that mountain as soon as once more. Of course, this time, he has much less strain to be THE man, as the Cubs have each Cade Horton and Edward Cabrera itching to steer this rotation.

Plus, hey, Justin Steele will likely be again finally, whereas Jameson Taillon and Shota Imanaga are each succesful of having their moments, too.

So… simply do your factor, Boyd. It all begins right this moment.

Washington Nationals: Cade Cavalli, RHP

Cade Cavalli, 27, has made simply 11 massive league begins throughout two seasons (2022 and final 12 months) earlier than getting the Opening Day nod for the Nationals this afternoon. But make no mistake, this man’s received expertise. The former first-round choose (2020) of the Nationals grew to become one of the greatest pitching prospects in baseball and was slowed solely by his want for Tommy John surgical procedure again in 2023.

But, once more, he made his means again to the massive leagues by the finish of 2025, incomes a 4.25 ERA over his ten begins. Assuming he is wholesome and ramped up, you’ll be able to count on 97 MPH + fastballs from Cavalli, in addition to a tough sinker (96-97 MPH), a knuckle curve, a changeup, and a cutter. The Cubs didn’t face Cavalli final season. Among potential Opening Day opposing starters, the Cubs may have drawn harder picks. But take nothing with no consideration, particularly with the wind blowing in!

Broadcast Info:

Chicago Cubs (0-0) vs Washington Nationals (0-0) at 1:20 pm CT – Marquee Sports Network, 104.3 The Score

Cubs vs Nationals – Key Injuries:

Chicago Cubs:

• Seiya Suzuki, OF
• Jordan Wicks, S.P.
• Porter Hodge, R.P.
• Justin Steele, SP (60-Day IL)
• Shelby Miller, RP (60-Day IL)
• Tyler Austin, IF/OF (60-Day IL)

Washington Nationals:

• Paxton Schultz, R.P.
• DJ Herz, S.P.
• Trevor Williams, S.P.
• Josiah Gray, S.P.

Cubs vs Nationals – Wrigley Field Weather Report

Location: Chicago, IL
temperature: 58 levels
Wind: Blowing in from left discipline, average with robust tastes