Home / Sports / Cavalli Leads Nationals' 2026 Opener vs. Cubs
Cavalli Leads Nationals' 2026 Opener vs. Cubs
26 Mar
Summary
- Cade Cavalli is the Opening Day starter for the Nationals against the Cubs.
- Miles Mikolas will start the second game, followed by Jake Irvin.
- Zack Littell will not pitch in the opening series due to readiness issues.
The Washington Nationals have set their 26-man Opening Day roster for 2026, confirming Cade Cavalli as the starting pitcher for the March 26 matchup against the Chicago Cubs. This marks a significant milestone for Cavalli, who was a first-round pick in 2020 and is making his first Opening Day roster after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Following Cavalli, veteran Miles Mikolas is slated to start the second game on March 28. Mikolas, signed on February 11, brings a history of eating innings, though his performance has declined in recent years. Jake Irvin will close out the opening series on March 29, having earned a spot in the rotation after facing potential non-tender considerations earlier in the offseason.
New acquisition Zack Littell, initially expected to be the number two starter, will not participate in the opening series as he builds up his readiness. The Nationals are looking for a strong start to the 2026 campaign, especially from Cavalli, as they aim to compete against playoff hopefuls.
