The 2026 opening weekend at Wrigley Field between the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs was a rollercoaster ride, showcasing the unpredictable nature of baseball. We witnessed a record-breaking 10-4 victory for the Nationals on Thursday, followed by a humbling 10-2 defeat on Saturday, and wrapped up with a surprising 6-3 win in the series finale.
In the midst of this whirlwind, there were notable absences and a veteran signing that raised eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. As we take the pulse of this team after just three games, let's dive into who shined and who struggled in this opening series.
The Good: Cade Cavalli & Joey Wiemer
If you needed a reason to buy into the Paul Toboni "process," Cade Cavalli delivered. After years of anticipation, Cavalli took the mound on Opening Day and showed flashes of the ace potential everyone had been waiting for.
His outing was brief by design, going just 3.2 innings, but it was electric. Cavalli struck out five, reached 99 MPH on the radar gun, and unveiled a devastating new sweeper that kept the Cubs on their toes.
Beyond the stats, it was his leadership and confidence that stood out. Declaring, "We’re going to win," Cavalli set a tone that this young team desperately needed.
With MacKenzie Gore's departure, Cavalli didn’t just fill a spot; he stepped into a leadership role.
Joey Wiemer was another standout, starting the season with a perfect 6-for-6, including two homers, a triple, and four RBIs over two games. While this pace is unsustainable, his performance was crucial in securing the series win at Wrigley. If Wiemer can maintain even a fraction of this form, it could be a game-changer for the Nationals.
The Bad: Miles Mikolas
On the flip side, Miles Mikolas’ debut was a cause for concern. In his first start for the Nationals, Mikolas struggled, allowing six runs (four earned) over five innings. He was hit hard early, and the Nationals’ offense couldn’t pick up the slack.
Following Cavalli’s brilliance is no easy task, but Mikolas’ performance left much to be desired. The hope is that the Nationals can adjust their rotation to give emerging talents like Jake Irvin and Zack Littell more opportunities to shine in the future.
The Indifferent: CJ Abrams and James Wood
CJ Abrams had a mixed start to the season. He kicked off with a solid performance, including a scorching 110 MPH go-ahead single.
However, by Saturday, questions about his hustle overshadowed his talent. A lack of urgency on the base paths turned what should have been a routine double into an out at second, a blemish in an otherwise historic win.
Abrams is expected to make an "All-Star" leap this year, but this rocky start has put a spotlight on areas needing improvement.
James Wood also had a challenging series, aside from a standout opposite-field home run on Saturday. Concerns about his swing-and-miss tendencies, which surfaced last season, remain. While Wood is likely to find his stride, there's work to be done to recapture his previous form.
As the season unfolds, the Nationals will look to build on their strengths and address these early challenges. With a mix of promising talent and areas for growth, the journey ahead promises to be an intriguing one for fans.