MESA, Ariz. – The Cubs enter this season with World Series aspirations after their October run ended in the National League Division Series vs the Brewers last season. The Nationals head into a new era with manager Blake Butera taking the reins for a ballclub trying to build toward the future.
The teams’ respective 2026 journeys begin on March 26, when the Cubs will host the Nationals at 1:20 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field on Opening Day. Chicago will hand the ball to veteran Matthew Boyd, while Washington will have a great comeback story in the works with Cade Cavalli making the start on the other side.
With the Friendly Confines as the backdrop -- a place the Nationals have not visited for a season opener since 2012 -- it should be an electric atmosphere to get the season rolling.
“Opening Day should be a holiday in Chicago,” Boyd said, “with the buzz and energy that surrounds the field and the city.”
Here is a look at the Opening Day pitching matchup:
Cubs: LHP Matthew Boyd
Previous Opening Days starts: 2 (2020-21 with Detroit)
2025 season: 14-8, 3.21 ERA in 31 starts
Boyd grew up hearing all about the Cubs and Wrigley Field. His late grandfather, John Boyd, lived in downtown Chicago and was a diehard fan of the famous franchise. Last year, the lefty signed with the North Siders and got to experience it all for himself.
All Boyd did then was turn in arguably the most complete season of his career, earning the first All-Star nod of his 11-year run in the big leagues and quickly growing into a leader for the rotation and team. The 35-year-old lefty also excelled at his grandpa’s favorite ballpark, finishing 12-1 with a 2.51 ERA in 15 starts at the Friendly Confines.
It all added up to the Cubs naming Boyd their Opening Day starter for this season with World Series aspirations.
“He would’ve really enjoyed this,” Boyd said of his grandfather. “He would’ve been thinking about it the second I told him and probably wouldn’t have slept much until [Opening Day] -- that’s just how he operated.”
Nationals: RHP Cade Cavalli
Previous Opening Day starts: 0
2025 season: 3-1, 4.25 ERA in 10 starts
Cavalli, 27, earned his first Opening Day start after years of battling through and overcoming injuries.
A 2020 first-round Draft pick by the Nationals, Cavalli reached the Majors in two years on Aug. 26, 2022. However, he was shut down with right shoulder inflammation for the rest of that season. The following Spring Training, Cavalli required Tommy John surgery in March of 2023. A lengthy recovery ensued, and he did not pitch in the Majors again until Aug. 6, 2025.
With a relentless work ethic, Cavalli was named the Nats' Opening Day starter for what he brings to the mound and the clubhouse.
“Talk about who you want at the top of your rotation,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “From a makeup standpoint, from a human standpoint, from a pitching standpoint, he checks all those boxes.”