Cubs Stumble in Opening Series Against Nationals

Preseason favorites struggle to find their footing in first games of 2026 MLB season.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:38am

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The Chicago Cubs, widely projected to win 95 or more games this season, got off to a disappointing start by dropping two of three games against the Washington Nationals in their opening series. Analysts and fans are already questioning whether the Cubs have the firepower to live up to lofty preseason expectations.

Why it matters

The Cubs were one of the National League's top teams in 2025, making it to the NLCS before falling short of the World Series. Their struggles against a Nationals squad that finished under .500 last year have raised concerns about the team's ability to maintain their elite status and contend for a championship in 2026.

The details

In the series opener, the Cubs fell 6-3 despite a strong outing from starting pitcher Marcus Stroman. They bounced back to win the second game 4-2, but then dropped the rubber match 5-3 as the Nationals' young pitching staff stifled the Cubs' vaunted lineup.

  • The Cubs' opening series against the Nationals took place from March 26-28, 2026.
  • The Cubs lost the series opener on March 26.
  • The Cubs won the second game on March 27.
  • The Cubs lost the series finale on March 28.

The players

Marcus Stroman

The Cubs' veteran starting pitcher who had a solid outing in the opening game of the series.

Washington Nationals

The Cubs' opponent, a team that finished under .500 in 2025 but managed to take two of three games from the preseason NL favorites.

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What they’re saying

“We just didn't play our brand of baseball this series. Credit to the Nationals, they came out and executed their game plan better than we did.”

— Kris Bryant, Cubs Third Baseman

“It's only three games, but this is not the start we were hoping for. We've got a long season ahead of us, and we need to figure some things out quickly.”

— David Ross, Cubs Manager

What’s next

The Cubs will look to bounce back in their home opener against the Dodgers on April 1.

The takeaway

The Cubs' struggles against the Nationals have raised early-season questions about whether this team has the consistency and firepower to live up to lofty preseason expectations and contend for a World Series title in 2026.