AP Photo/Erin Hooley

The Rundown: Opening Day Finally Arrives, Boyd Takes Bump, Bregman Embracing Lofty Expectations, Netflix Makes MLB Debut

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterMarch 26, 2026

“With a little push, we could set it off. We can send it rocketing skyward.” – Paul McCartney & Wings, With a Little Luck

I have the Cubs winning the NL Central and advancing to the NLCS this year, full stop. The North Siders have an imposing lineup, but I’m just as bullish on the pitching staff. Sure, the Cubs signed Alex Bregman after kissing Kyle Tucker and his incredibly soft 4.6 WAR goodbye, but I’m chips-in on Chicago’s rotation and bullpen. The Shōta Imanaga resurgence is coming and Cade Horton is a burgeoning ace. Once Justin Steele returns, Matthew Boyd, Edward Cabrera, and Jameson Taillon will give the Cubs the deepest rotation in the NL Central. Ben Brown and Javier Assad will provide the necessary extra depth the staff needs.

As I see it, that adds up to a division crown.

  1. Cubs (94-68)
  2. Pirates (83-79)
  3. Reds (82-80)
  4. Brewers (79-83)
  5. Cardinals (70-92)

Jed Hoyer deserves credit for filling the team’s holes quickly and efficiently, and, as usual, for rebuilding his bullpen. Chicago’s only blemish is starting the season without Seiya Suzuki, though he could return from injury as soon as next week. Still, it will be Chicago’s holdovers that will determine the success or failure of this ballclub, with Imanaga, Daniel Palencia, Michael Busch, and newly-extended centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong leading the charge. Did you see Palencia in this year’s WBC? He was nearly as dominant as Mason Miller.

Moisés Ballesteros is the team’s ace-in-the-hole. He’ll serve as the Cubs’ primary DH, and hitting is what he does best. In fact, Ballesteros gives me Miguel Cabrera vibes because he is always ready to drive the ball. A Triple Crown isn’t something the rookie will likely ever achieve, but he’s a hitting machine nonetheless. Ballesteros should make Matt Shaw expendable before this year’s trade deadline. No team needs two full-time designated hitters.

I suppose the jury is still out on the bullpen because Hoyer’s piecemeal posse isn’t armed with the notoriety of the league’s more publicized corps. That said, Chicago’s president of baseball operations has earned the benefit of the doubt because he rarely misses when it comes to arming his bullpen. Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, and Hunter Harvey aren’t household names, but they’ve been successful. I prefer the term “X-factor” over “question mark” when discussing this bunch.

Regardless, it’s Opening Day and Wrigley Field will be electric. With a little luck, an early-November parade from the corner of Clark & Addison to Chicago’s Grant Park is a definite possibility.

Cubs News & Notes

Ball Four

Today is Baseball Day!

Central Intelligence

  • Milwaukee (97-65): A bunch of Cream City bloggers unanimously believe the Brewers are still the team to beat in the NL Central. I guffawed. Look, Milwaukee’s run of incredible luck can’t last and pocket pancakes won’t be enough to carry the Brewers to a division title in 2026.
  • Chicago (92-70): You may see more than a few storm chasers at Wrigley Field today. Why? According to at least one report, baseball-sized hail could hit the Friendly Confines during today’s game. Don’t forget your batting helmet if you are attending.
  • Cincinnati (83-79): The Reds are hosting the Red Sox today, which should be sponsored in whole or in part by this company. You do know the Cincinnati baseballers were initially known as the Redlegs, right?
  • St. Louis (78-84): The Cardinals announced this year’s home giveaways and wins to their opponents aren’t listed, but they are presumed.
  • Pittsburgh (71-91): The Pirates sent shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin back to Triple-A, though he’s still among the favorites to win the NL Rookie of the Year award. At least we’ll have something to write about other than Paul Skenes.

How About That!

The Yankees thumped the Giants 7-0 last night in the inaugural game of the 2026 season. Max Fried earned his fifth consecutive Opening Day win.

Netflix earned the broadcasting rights for last night’s game and commenced with employing celebrities to help viewers with the nuances of the game.

Last night’s broadcast was a mixed bag of extreme highs and lows.

Some viewers called last night’s Netflix MLB debut “unwatchable.”

Reigning MVP Aaron Judge earned a golden sombrero in the win over the Giants.

Yankees shortstop José Caballero issued the game’s first regular-season ABS challenge and lost.

The 2026 MLB rookie class is expected to be one of the best ever. In total, 13 of the projected top 20 rookies this year rank as top 25 overall prospects. That ties 2016 for the highest total of the past 15 years.

Apropos of Nothing

If you’re looking for an “awww moment” to kickstart this season, Francisco Lindor and his five-year-old daughter are happy to oblige.

Extra Innings

You’ll need a lot of subscriptions to watch the Cubs this season, but at least they’ll avoid Netflix.

Stealing Home

“Come easy, go easy, all right until the rising sun. I’m calling all the shots tonight, I’m like a loaded gun.” — Aerosmith, Back in the Saddle

You may remember me from a few months ago, but if you’re new to Cubs Insider, I’m Mike Canter and this is my column. It’s a one-off today so I can finish a work project and celebrate my birthday (March 31), but I’ll be back to writing on the daily starting April 2. I decided to return when I heard the news that Jacob Zanolla left us for Behemoth Bleacher Nation. I personally feel more than partially responsible for the audience we’ve built here, and I can’t in good conscience let Evan Altman soldier on alone. So, BN gets Jacob and Tony Andracki, and you guys get Tom Domol and me. I’ll let all y’all decide which site is better off.

I wonder if DraftKings offered a prop bet on the odds of the many blogosphere changes, and if you tossed in a finski or two on me, remember to share the wealth. The North Side scribe shuffle evidently inspired BN’s lead writer to compose a lengthy existential column, so there’s that.

All that being said, good luck to Jacob in his new endeavor. I hope he is wildly successful, but to you all, thanks for remaining loyal to this site.

They Said It

  • “The Opening Day jitters? Oh yeah. I feel like when you lose that, it’s time to hang them up. For me, every Opening Day, there’s still good nerves, good excitement. Obviously, this being a new chapter, too, in my career, it’s going to be some good excitement and nerves as well.” – Bregman
  • “[Bregman will] have a huge impact. The nice thing is we have a really veteran, diligent group, too. Already, we have a really serious group, and I think his presence … will be additive to all of our processes.” – Hoyer

Opening Day Walk-Up Song

I’m not one to let traditions die, and thank you, Wally Dogger, for my personal Opening Day anthem.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterMarch 26, 2026
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