Young phenom Cade Horton eyes a historic Opening Day start, showcasing a dominant rookie season that could etch his name in Cubs history.
Being named an Opening Day starter is a big honor in Major League Baseball. This is the pitcher that is going to kick off the season and is usually the best pitcher on the team.
Sometimes, though, it’s not clear who might be the Opening Day starter.
In the Chicago Cubs case, that Opening Day starter is still up for grabs. Cubs manager Craig Counsell was noncommittal on an Opening Day starter on the first day of pitchers and catchers reporting earlier this month.
But MLB.com Cubs beat writer Jordan Bastian went ahead and ranked the team’s Opening Day candidates. He believes that up-and-coming pitcher Cade Horton has the best shot to start the first game of the season.
“Horton ended his rookie campaign with an 11-4 ledger and a 2.67 ERA in 23 appearances, during which he had 97 strikeouts against 33 walks in 118 innings,” Bastian wrote. “It was an outstanding debut season for Horton, who at 24 years old could be the youngest Opening Day starter for the Cubs since 2006 (Carlos Zambrano, 24).”
There’s no doubt that Horton is deserving of that Opening Day nod. He was the Cubs' best pitcher in the second half of last season and put together one of the best second-half rookie campaigns in MLB history.
Horton had a 1.03 ERA and 54 strikeouts over his final 12 starts. He allowed one run or fewer in 11 of those 12 outings and was nearly untouchable on the mound. His 1.03 ERA after the All-Star break led all qualified starters.
So, Horton is definitely in the mix to start on Opening Day. He is the team’s most talented pitcher and is coming off an impressive rookie campaign. Although the 24-year-old hasn’t pitched in a Spring Training game yet, he should at some point later this week.
Matthew Boyd is also likely in the mix to start on Opening Day. Boyd was listed by Bastian as the second-likeliest pitcher to start for the Cubs in the first game.
The southpaw just delivered the best numbers of his career in 2025. He finished with a 3.21 ERA and 154 strikeouts across 31 starts while earning his first All-Star appearance. Those 31 starts were tied for the second-most of his 11-year career.
The Cubs could easily give Boyd the Opening Day nod. He is a veteran who has been in this league for a long time. He just turned 35 years old, and there might not be another opportunity for him to get an Opening Day start the rest of his career.
It really feels like Horton or Boyd will get that Opening Day start.