In the heart of Chicago, under the iconic shadows of Wrigley Field, Cade Cavalli penned his own chapter in baseball lore. For a pitcher who grew up watching "Rookie of the Year" with his brother, Thursday's game was more than just an Opening Day start for the Nationals-it was a triumphant return to the spotlight after three grueling years of injuries.
Cavalli's journey back to the mound has been nothing short of cinematic. After enduring Tommy John surgery and a lengthy recovery process, he finally took the hill as the Nationals' 2026 Opening Day starter, leading them to a 10-4 victory over the Cubs.
"It was great," Cavalli expressed with enthusiasm. "I’m so pumped that we got a win today and that I was able to start us off.
The offense backed me up like crazy. It just means a lot."
The Nationals, who have witnessed Cavalli's resilience firsthand, were thrilled to see him back in action. His determination over the 1,076 days between his Major League debut and his return last August was nothing short of inspiring.
"You could just tell how good he felt [in Spring Training]," said center fielder Jacob Young. "He’s always going to compete with the best of them, and he has some pretty good stuff when he is healthy. It was great to see him out there having fun and just doing his thing."
Cavalli’s return marked him as the 10th different Opening Day starter in Nationals history since 2005, joining the ranks of legends like Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. It’s a role that carries weight, as noted by long reliever Brad Lord: "The Opening Day starter, it’s a big ask.
You set the tone for the year. A lot of nerves, a lot of pressure.
He went out there and competed his tail off and did amazing."
With a strategic pitch count limit of 75, Cavalli delivered 3 2/3 innings, allowing three hits, three runs (two earned), walking three, and striking out five. His performance continued a streak of holding opponents to three earned runs or fewer in his last six starts since September 2025.
Manager Blake Butera praised Cavalli's poise: "It’s not easy to go out there and pitch in front of that crowd -- in some tough weather, too -- and do what he did against that lineup, which is a really, really good lineup."
For Cavalli, Wrigley Field isn't just another ballpark; it's a place woven into his baseball dreams. Having visited as a fan before his professional days, pitching there as a starter was a dream realized.
"I just love baseball," Cavalli shared during Spring Training. "Wrigley has been a part of baseball forever.
So it's just really cool to be pitching in it."
On Opening Day, Cavalli stepped into the role of the pitchers he once admired from afar. "You know that no matter what, if it’s mano-a-mano, you have a pretty good chance with him on the mound," said Young. "That gives us a lot of confidence, and it was awesome to see us get that first win for him."
Cavalli's performance was more than a game; it was a testament to perseverance and a hint of what might be a promising season ahead for both him and the Nationals.