Cubs radio host makes ridiculous 'must win' comment after Opening Day loss

The Chicago Cubs began their season on a poor note, losing to the Washington Nationals on Opening Day on a very windy day in Chicago.

While the loss wasn't ideal, it's only one game of a 162-game regular season. There's plenty of time for the Cubs to turn things around and get back on track. The series hasn't been lost either.

And yet, Dustin Rhoades of 104.3 The Score said Friday morning, following the loss, that the Cubs' second game of the season is already a must-win for this team in a ridiculous comment after just one game.

Cubs radio host says second game of 2026 season is a 'must-win'

"On Saturday, March 28, we are going to have the. earliest must-win statement game by the Cubs," Rhoades said.

This is a ridiculous comment to make from Rhoades. Sure, the loss to the Nationals, a team likely to finish near the bottom of the standings at the end of the season, wasn't ideal.

But to believe the Cubs are now in a "must-win" spot after one game is a wild overreaction to a fluky loss in game one of a 162-game season.

A 10-4 loss, with Matthew Boyd struggling, and the offense literally fighting against the wind with Ian Happ's would-be homer being cut down thanks to strong wind in left field, this loss can be thrown out.

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It might come back to haunt them if they miss a postseason spot or the Division title by one game, but there will be plenty more losses all year, and likely ones far worse than this Opening Day blowout loss to the Nationals.

Calling the second game of the season a must-win is a ridiculous comment to make in any sport, and baseball, especially with how many games there are in a season.

The Cubs are going to be fine, and this commentary from Rhoades, calling Saturday's game against the Nationals a "must-win," is a wild overreaction to one bad game in a season bound to be full of such rough days.

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