Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell officially declared Justin Steele as the Opening Day starter for the 2024 season on Saturday. The left-handed pitcher is set to take the mound on March 28 when the Cubs visit the reigning World Series champions, the Texas Rangers.
Despite the national spotlight of the ESPN-televised game, the pressure shouldn’t faze the Cubs’ top pitcher. Steele had an impressive performance last season, boasting a 3.06 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 30 starts, earning him his first career All-Star selection with a 4.9 fWAR.
The Opening Day honor is well-deserved for Steele, who emerged as a standout performer last season, thriving behind former teammate Marcus Stroman in the rotation. At 28 years old, Steele’s prime years are still ahead of him, offering optimism for the Cubs as they aim to return to playoff contention.
Despite past struggles in developing pitching talent, Steele stands out with his track record of success and leadership qualities, providing the Cubs with stability in their rotation. Alongside Kyle Hendricks, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon, the Cubs enter the 2024 season with confidence in their pitching staff. Additionally, top pitching prospect Cade Horton could offer reinforcement by midseason if his development progresses as anticipated.
With Steele anchoring the rotation, the future looks bright for the Cubs as they aim to reclaim their status as playoff contenders.
