Chicago Cubs Standout Players From Opening Day Thriller

The Chicago Cubs might have lost their opener, but there were plenty of standout players against the defending champion Texas Rangers.

Mar 31, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Christopher Morel (5) and second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) celebrate after Morel scores against the Texas Rangers during the second inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs went on the road to face the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers to get their 2024 campaign underway.

With aspirations to get into the playoffs for the first time since 2020, this was a good test to see how they might stack up against one of the best teams in Major League Baseball.

While things ended in heartbreaking fashion, the Cubs were up for the challenge throughout the game, only trailing when the Rangers hit their walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Chicago was dealt a tough blow when their ace Justin Steele left the game early after clutching his hamstring following going for a ground ball, but prior to that, he might have been the biggest standout on the team.

There were some questions about if the left-hander could continue his form from last year that earned him a fifth-place finish in National League Cy Young voting, but the rising star was spectacular in his limited action.

Through 4 2/3 innings, he only allowed one run on three hits, and also struck out six batters in a lineup that is littered with stars.

Christopher Morel also got his season off to a strong start going 2-5 with a triple in the second inning. He was the first run scored of the game after Dansby Swanson was able to get him home on a sacrifice fly that same frame. He followed that up with a single in the fourth inning as well.

The Cubs also got some solid early returns from their winter trade acquisition, Michael Busch, who finished the game 1-2 after drawing two walks.

Overall, the opener ended in disappointing fashion, but there were plenty of positives to take away from a contest where they held the lead three separate times against the reigning champions.