CUBS LINEUP — Boy, oh boy, do I love today. In just a few short hours, the Cubs will open up their highly anticipated 2026 season with the first of a three-game set against the Nationals at Wrigley Field. Matthew Boyd is on the bump for the Cubs. Cade Cavalli toes the rubber for D.C., and here’s a look at the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP OF THE SEASON!
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
Michael Busch, 1B Alex Bregman, 3B Ian Happ, LF Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF Nico Hoerner, 2B Carson Kelly, C Moises Ballesteros, DH Dansby Swanson, SS Matt Shaw, RFOkay, first things first: As expected, Michael Busch is leading off for the Cubs, which is where he finished the year last season. I suspect Nico Hoerner will lead off against lefties, but Busch should be the guy against righties.
After that, you’ve got Alex Bregman, the Cubs big offseason addition, batting second, also where he was for most of the spring, followed by Ian Happ batting third.
Normally, I would think, Seiya Suzuki would bat cleanup after Happ, breaking up the lefties, but Suzuki is on the IL, so everyone moves up a spot. That means PCA is batting cleanup in today’s Cubs lineup (and probably for the next week and a half/until Seiya comes back).
PCA is followed by a couple of righties, Nico Hoerner and Carson Kelly, and then we get to Moises Ballesteros, the starting DH on Opening Day. Ballesteros, 22, is one of the younger players you’ll see in a starting lineup this good, and for good reason. We all (including the Cubs in that) believe in his bat THAT much.
Swanson follows, batting eighth, and it is Matt Shaw, not Michael Conforto or Dylan Carlson, getting the Opening Day nod in right field. I’m more than okay with that choice, but I am also modestly surprised. I thought for sure it would be Conforto. Either way, this Suzuki absence is a good opportunity for Shaw to get everyday at-bats as well as more exposure in right field, where he probably needs some more seasoning, but has the skills to make it work defensively.
All in all, this is a great first Cubs lineup. I wouldn’t change a thing. Go get ’em, boys.
Washington Nationals Lineup:
TBAPitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Matthew Boyd, LHP
Last season, his first in a Cubs uniform, was really a tale of two Matthew Boyds. The 35-year-old lefty got off to an incredible start, well beyond the halfway point, evolving into the Cubs’ clear No. 1 starter by the ned of July: First 20 starts, 118.2 IP, 2.20 ERA.
But then, as fatigue set in, he faded hard down the stretch: Final 11 starts, 61.0 IP, 5.16 ERA.
Given his injury history and how few innings he had pitched in the preceding seasons, I’m still amazed we got even THAT much out of him. And, to be fair, he did a great job helping the Cubs force Game 5 of the NLDS with his 4.2 shutout innings in Game 4. But, yeah, the magic definitely wore off in August and September.
The hope this year (and certainly for today) would be that he’s both stronger (after building back up last season) and rested (after the winter) enough to climb that mountain once again. Of course, this time, he has less pressure to be THE guy, as the Cubs have both Cade Horton and Edward Cabrera itching to lead this rotation.
Plus, hey, Justin Steele will be back eventually, while Jameson Taillon and Shota Imanaga are both capable of having their moments, too.
So … just do your thing, Boyd. It all starts today.
Washington Nationals: Cade Cavalli, RHP
Cade Cavalli, 27, has made just 11 big league starts across two seasons (2022 and last year) before getting the Opening Day nod for the Nationals this afternoon. But make no mistake, this guy’s got talent. The former first-round pick (2020) of the Nationals became one of the best pitching prospects in baseball and was slowed only by his need for Tommy John surgery back in 2023.
But, again, he made his way back to the big leagues by the end of 2025, earning a 4.25 ERA over his ten starts. Assuming he’s healthy and ramped up, you can expect 97 MPH + fastballs from Cavalli, as well as a hard sinker (96-97 MPH), a knuckle curve, a changeup, and a cutter. The Cubs did not face Cavalli last season. Among potential Opening Day opposing starters, the Cubs could have drawn tougher picks. But take nothing for granted, especially 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, SP Porter Hodge, RP Justin Steele, SP (60-Day IL) Shelby Miller, RP (60-Day IL) Tyler Austin, IF/OF (60-Day IL)Washington Nationals:
Paxton Schultz, RP DJ Herz, SP Trevor Williams, SP Josiah Gray, SPCubs vs Nationals – Wrigley Field Weather Report
Location: Chicago, ILTemperature: 58 degreesWind: Blowing in from left field, moderate with strong gusts
Tomorrow vs Nationals: 58° ☁️ Wind blowing in from LF at 12mph? Gusts up to 26mph #Cubs #Weather #OpeningDay
— Wrigley Winds (@WrigleyWinds) March 25, 2026Hence then, the article about the first chicago cubs lineup of the season is here was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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