Later this afternoon, the Cubs and Rockies will square off at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Arizona, and I think David Ross is testing out a modified Opening Day group with Kyle Hendricks on the mound.
Take a look at this lineup:
Here is how we'll line up against the Rockies. pic.twitter.com/2LZNPbjGvg
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 11, 2021
Obviously, there will be no designated hitter on Opening Day, so you can imagine Kyle Hendricks penciled into that spot, and you can sub out Cameron Maybin for Jason Heyward, but ultimately, I think that’ll be the group (and it matches almost identically with our guess back at the beginning of February). Among the highlights that I like: Willson Contreras batting second instead of Kris Bryant. Javy Baez starting the season off lower in the lineup until he gets his feet back under him at the plate. Happ leading off, Pederson fifth, and Hoerner near the bottom.
The only outstanding question is whether or not the pitcher will bat 8th or 9th, but given our expectations on innings limits this year, 8th isn’t out of the question. That could provide Ross the ability to pinch hit for him sooner than later. I guess we’ll see.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (6-3) at Colorado Rockies (6-3) – Thursday, March 11th, at 2:10 CT on MLBTV
Starting Pitchers
Rockies: Dereck Rodriguez (R)
versus
Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (R)
Chicago Cubs:
1. Ian Happ, CF
2. Willson Contreras, C
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Kris Bryant, 3B
5. Joc Pederson, LF
6. Javy Baez, SS
7. Cameron Maybin, RF
8. David Bote, DH
9. Nico Hoerner, 2B
Colorado Rockies:
1. Raimel Tapia, LF
2. Garrett Hampson, 2B
3. Sam Hillard, CF
4. C.J. Cron, 1B
5. Chris Owings, SS
6. Josh Fuentes, 3B
7. Colton Welker, DH
8. Dom Nuñez, C
9. Yonathan Daza, RF