CHICAGO -- The Nationals began a new chapter of baseball with an Opening Day, 10-4 win over the Cubs on Thursday at Wrigley Field.
Led by a revamped front office and coaching staff, the Nats rolled out an unconventional lineup to counter Cubs southpaw Matthew Boyd. The strategy resulted in a hard-hitting, six-run fourth inning that secured Blake Butera his first Major League managerial victory, along with the most runs scored on Opening Day in team history (2005-present).
The offensive burst began at the top of the frame when, with the Nats down 2-1, No. 2 hitter Andrés Chaparro hit a 103.8 mph double off Boyd, followed by a 106.7 mph single by Brady House. Lefty-hitting Daylen Lile drove in Chaparro with a game-tying 100.3 mph line drive.
Following a walk by Joey Wiemer, who homered in the second inning, lefty-batting CJ Abrams plated two runs on a 110.8 mph line drive deep into right field (he was thrown out at second base). Nasim Nuñez plated Wiemer on a groundout, and switch-hitting Keibert Ruiz singled to chase Boyd from the game.
Facing reliever Ben Brown, Jacob Young sliced a 101.9 mph two-run home run to right field to put the Nationals up by five. Young hit two homers in 324 at-bats last season.
Cade Cavalli earned the win in his first Opening Day start. After battling through injuries for three years, including undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023, Cavalli tossed 3 2/3 innings. He struck out five, allowed three runs (two earned) off three hits and three walks. Butera made a call to the ‘pen after Cavalli reached the 75-pitch mark.