Are the Chicago Cubs the Biggest Threat to the Dodgers’ 2026 World Series Repeat?
As the Cubs enter 2026, they look like baseball’s best chance to make things competitive against a Dodgers team that, for all intents and purposes, is penciled in for a second straight World Series title — at least if you believe the on-paper predictions. Early dispatches from the Cactus League suggest that gap may not be as wide as advertised. The Cubs are predicted by some to win the NL Central, including Baseball Prospectus.
Bob Nightingale of USA TODAY gives fresh mojo for a budding rivalry in the National League as he reports from Mesa, Arizona at the start of the 2026 Spring Training:
The Cubs know all this, but on their first day of spring training, they boldly believe they are now the team to beat in the NL Central, and perhaps become the team that can finally derail the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers.
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The Cubs certainly created plenty of versatility and depth when they signed Bregman to play third base, moving Matt Shaw to a super-utility role where he’ll play third base, second base and the outfield, while keeping Nico Hoerner at second base. They have a solid starting rotation led by Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton (who finished second in the rookie-of-the-year balloting), Cabrera, Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon, with ace Justin Steele possibly returning to the rotation as early as May. They also remain in talks with free-agent starter Zac Gallen. Gallen would not only give them a powerful top of the rotation, but provide insurance for the future with Taillon, Boyd and Imanaga eligible for free agency after the season.
A projected starting lineup via FanGraphs:
1B Michael Busch; 3B Alex Bregman; LF Ian Happ; RF Seiya Suzuki; CF Pete Crow-Armstrong; 2B Nico Hoerner; SS Dansby Swanson; DH Moisés Ballesteros; C Carson Kelly.
The projected rotation begins with Matthew Boyd (LHP, 35), signed as a free agent in December 2024 after finishing with Cleveland. Boyd posted a 3.89 ERA across 167 innings with 167 strikeouts, bringing veteran stability and postseason-caliber experience to the front end of the staff.
Slotting in behind him is Edward Cabrera (RHP, 27), acquired via trade from Miami in January 2026. Cabrera’s electric arm produced 137 strikeouts with a 3.92 ERA, flashing frontline upside when healthy and under control through arbitration.
The third spot belongs to Cade Horton (RHP, 24), the seventh overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. Horton continues his ascent with a 4.12 ERA and 127 strikeouts, representing the organization’s long-term power arm with top-of-the-rotation potential.
In the fourth slot is Shota Imanaga (LHP, 32), purchased from NPB in January 2024. Imanaga delivered a 4.04 ERA with 147 strikeouts and a sharp 2.00 walk rate, giving the rotation a dependable left-handed presence with swing-and-miss command.
Rounding out the group is Jameson Taillon (RHP), providing veteran innings and experience at the back end of the rotation, capable of stabilizing the staff over a full 162-game schedule.