Chicago Cubs: Final Opening Day Lineup Prediction

By Dan Schmelzer | Mar 31, 2017

Jun 21, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) looks at his lineup card during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Cubs won 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Who will be the starting nine for the Chicago Cubs on Opening Day?

It is almost here. The Chicago Cubs will open their 2017 season this coming Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The long-time division rivals will play on Sunday Night Baseball in front of a nationally broadcasted audience on ESPN to open the season.

The 25-man roster is set and the Cubs are loaded with options in the lineup. It is going to be interesting to see how the Joe Maddon fills out the lineup card on a daily basis. Opening Day is no exception.

We know that Jon Lester will take the mound for the Cubs and guys like Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber will be in the lineup. However, we do not know which positions all of those guys will be playing and who will fill out the rest of the starting nine. Well, I am going to give it a shot.

Chciago Cubs Opening Day Lineup Prediction

LF Kyle Schwarber
3B Kris Bryant
1B Anthony Rizzo
RF Ben Zobrist
SS Addison Russell
CF Jason Heyward
C Willson Contreras
P Jon Lester
2B Javier Baez

Maddon is undoubtedly going to mix and match with the lineup on pretty much a daily basis. The Chicago Cubs have a ton of players who are starting caliber, but only eight position players can start in a game. This projected lineup is pretty straight forward with the only potential surprise being Heyward moving over to center field to accommodate Baez into the lineup.

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Baez started a lot of games for the Cubs at third base when Lester started last season. His incredible overall defensive play helped protect with bunts against the poor fielding Cubs’ pitcher. I would think that Maddon would like to get Baez in there to help protect Lester.

Having Baez and his incredible tagging ability at second base would protect Lester’s inability to hold runners when they are on base. Also, Baez being at second base would allow Rizzo to be more aggressive in bunt situations, knowing that the quick and athletic Baez can get over and cover the bag in time.

Nothing against Zobrist, but he simply does not have the same kind of ability as Baez at second base. The only issue with having Baez in the lineup is offensively. Starting him against a tough right-handed pitcher like Carlos Martinez is not ideal. That being said, Baez’ power plays against anyone. He would have as good of a shot as anyone at putting one in the seats against Martinez.

The rest of the lineup is pretty much what we are expecting. The top three of Schwarber, Bryant and Rizzo is ridiculously good and should strike fear into Martinez. Zobrist and Russell round out the top five, followed by Heyward and Contreras. Hitting behind Heyward and in front of the pitcher is a tough spot for Contreras in the lineup. He is not getting much protection, but the Cubs’ young catcher is an offensive force who can do damage no matter where he is hitting.

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It is far from guaranteed, but I think Maddon get a little creative here to get Baez’ defense into the game with Lester on the mound. If not, expect to see Zobrist at second base with Albert Almora in center field. Jon Jay in center is also possible, but giving Almora a chance to shine is more likely.

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