After an off day yesterday, the Chicago Cubs head to Goodyear Ballpark, with a team full of regulars to take on Alfredo Simon and the Cincinnati Reds.
The Cubs are going with the lineup we just barely missed last week, after Ben Zobrist was scratched late with an ingrown toenail (see! his age is getting to him!).
With Montero on the bench, and Schwarber catching for Hammel (perhaps exclusively), this is truly the most exciting lineup I’ve seen the Cubs roll out in my lifetime. There is talent, power, patience and potential at every single spot in the order.
And, since the Cubs are opening up the season in the American League, you might expect something similar on Opening Night – with Miguel Montero in there to catch Jake Arrieta and Schwarber taking the DH. But, this might also be the lineup we see once every five days (when Hammel pitches) and that’s something I can get behind.
Another interesting bit about the lineup below, among the eight lineup regulars, there are two switch hitters, three lefties and three righties with another lefty (Montero) and righty (Javier Baez) waiting on the bench. That, my friends, is a balanced roster.
Unfortunately, today’s game will not be televised, but you can listen to the game on MLB.com, or on WLW 700 if you live in the Ohio area.For future reference, you can check which games will be televised here.
Today’s Lineup vs. Reds (Alfredo Simon)
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Kyle Schwarber, C
- Jorge Soler, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Hammel, P