The Chicago Cubs have announced their opening-day starter.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced on Saturday morning that left-hander Justin Steele will start the team’s regular season opener on March 28 against the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers.
According to Christopher Kamka of the Marquee Network, Steele will be the first left-handed pitcher drafted by the Cubs to start on Opening Day. Jon Lester was the latest lefty to start on Opening Day for the Cubs.
Last year, Steele posted a 16-5 overall record with a 3.06 ERA. He pitched 173.1 innings and struck out 176 batters while walking 36.
He earned a 2023 MLB All-Star nod, too.
Counsell told reporters the Cubs’ 2014 fifth-round MLB draft pick has earned the right to be the opening day starter.
