The Chicago Cubs made one big splash in free agency while losing another, and host the still-rebuilding Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on Thursday to open the 2026 season.

How to Watch Nationals vs CubsDate: Thursday, March 26, 2026Time: 2:00 PM ETChannel: Marquee Sports Network, MLB.TVStream: Fubo (TRY FOR FREE)

Chicago dropped $175 million on a five-year deal to sign third baseman Alex Bregman, who slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 homers in 114 games with the Boston Red Sox last season, and moves Matt Shaw into a super-utility role with the Cubs. Bregman joins a lineup that includes three 30-homer hitters in Michael Busch, Seiya Suzuki, and Pete Crow-Armstrong. Gone, however, is Kyle Tucker, who left for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chicago also traded highly regarded young outfielder Owen Caissie and two other prospects to the Miami Marlins for right-hander Edward Cabrera.

The Nationals rebooted a rebuild that began after they won the 2019 World Series, trading All-Star left-hander MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers for five prospects, including 2025 first-round pick Gavin Fien, and dealing lefty reliever Jose A. Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners for young catcher Harry Ford. Washington bought off the bargain rack in free agency, adding right-handers Zack Littell and Miles Mikolas and left-hander Foster Griffin. Meanwhile, right-hander Josiah Gray opens the season on the injured list with a flexor strain after missing all of 2025 following Tommy John surgery.

Left-hander Matthew Boyd gets the Opening Day start for the Cubs after working to a 3.21 ERA and 1.091 WHIP in 179.2 innings over 31 starts last season. Washington gives the ball to right-hander Cade Cavalli, who capped a three-year recovery from the Tommy John procedure late last season with a 4.25 ERA and 1.479 WHIP over 10 starts and 48.2 innings.

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