Tonight’s Cubs Lineup Features Ross Behind the Plate, Soler in Left Field

The Chicago Cubs have started the year off right, scoring 29 runs in their first 27 innings. But, you’ll have to excuse my lack of enthusiasm, after the utterly terrible news that Kyle Schwarber will miss the rest of the 2016 season with a full ACL and LCL tear, which will require surgery.

That said, 3-0 is a great start, and the Cubs will look to continue the first winning streak of the year in game two against the Diamondbacks.

Let’s see what Joe Maddon has in mind:

1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Jason Heyward, RF
3. Ben Zobrist, 2B
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Kris Bryant, 3B
6. Jorge Soler, LF
7. Addison Russell, SS
8. David Ross, C
9. Jason Hammel, P

With a lefty on the mound, David Ross gets the start behind the plate ahead of (also lefty) Miguel Montero. Although, as you may recall, Kyle Schwarber was largely expected to catch Jason Hammel tonight (and throughout the year), so this was something of a last minute change. I’m not concerned with Ross’ ability to catch Hammel in the slightest, despite having not worked together as much has Hammel/Schwarber have. Ross is one of the best framers in baseball and continues to be solid, defensively, behind the plate.

Also, Jorge Soler finally draws the start in left field that we’ve all be itching to see. Although many speculated that Maddon might have gone with the hot bat in Matt Szczur, Soler is indeed the man in left, with a lefty on the mound. However, if the Cubs manage to get an early lead, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Soler lifted in favor of Szczur’s better glove in the outfield. Or, similarly, Tommy La Stella could come in to play third, while pushing Kris Bryant to left field.