Chicago Cubs Starting Rotation Heading Into Opening Day

Cubs starting rotation heading into the 2026 season

"A look at how the Cubs' rotation is lined up to start the season: Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, and Shota Imanaga vs. the Nationals, then Edward Cabrera and Jameson Taillon vs. the Angels. Taillon will stay back to pitch in a minor-league game Wednesday," Montemurro wrote.

Boyd received the nod as the Opening Day starter , and last year's rookie sensation, Cade Horton, is going to be more than exciting to watch in 2026. Horton finished his training work with 14 strikeouts in a pair of starts, averaging nearly 12 strikeouts per nine innings.

The top of their rotation is elite, while some major questions arise with at least one pitcher — Taillon.

Biggest surprise in this updated rotation

If someone was told that Jameson Taillon was going to be at the very bottom of the starting rotation back before training started, they would've thought it was a lie. Taillon was easily looking to hold down at least the No. 3 spot, but after the spring he's had — which he's acknowledged — it's easy to argue he shouldn't even be a starter.

Taillon has struggled mightily, finishing training with a 17.55 ERA. 17.55. Chicago used him in just over 13 innings, during which he allowed nearly a home run per inning and 26 total earned runs.

To add insult to injury, Taillon averaged 17.6 hits per nine innings while averaging nearly seven homers in that same amount of time. By the end of it, he finished with a 2.63 WHIP while allowing hitters to hit over .400.

The now 34-year-old looked like an entirely different pitcher to end the season in 2025 as he went 4-1 in his final six starts with a 1.60 ERA. That is the pitcher that Chicago needs if they want to be World Series contenders and take down the reigning World Champions.