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Full Chicago Cubs 2017 Opening Day Roster

By Dan Schmelzer

Oct 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) reacts with infielder Javier Baez (9) after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning during game four of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) reacts with infielder Javier Baez (9) after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning during game four of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Complete Chicago Cubs 2017 Opening Day 25-man roster.

Opening Day is a bit different for the Chicago Cubs this season. For the first time in 108 years, the Cubs will open the season as the defending World Series champions.

The Cubs begin the defense of their crown on Sunday, against their bitter division rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs and Cardinals have a long history of bad blood and there is not a team who I would rather see the Cubs begin their title defense against.

The Cubs have a similar roster compared to last season. After winning the World Series, why wouldn’t they try to bring back as many players as possible? Notable exclusions include David Ross, Aroldis Chapman and of course Dexter Fowler. Fowler signed a big-money free agent contract with the Cardinals this offseason and will leadoff against the Cubs in St. Louis.

Guys like Ross, Chapman and Fowler will be missed, but the Cubs made many additions to their roster this offseason that will help. They are still locked and loaded for another deep postseason run. See for yourself.

Chicago Cubs Complete Opening Day 25-Man Roster

Catcher

Willson Contreras
Miguel Montero

Infield

Anthony Rizzo
Ben Zobrist
Addison Russell
Kris Bryant
Javier Baez
Tommy La Stella

Outfield

Kyle Schwarber
Albert Almora
Jason Heyward
Jon Jay
Matt Szczur

Starting Pitchers

Jon Lester
Jake Arrieta
John Lackey
Brett Anderson
Kyle Hendricks

Bullpen

Mike Montgomery
Justin Grimm
Hector Rondon
Koji Uehara
Pedro Strop
Carl Edwards Jr.
Wade Davis

New Cub Brett Anderson gets the edge over Mike Montgomery for the last starting rotation spot, but Montgomery still figures to play a major role in the bullpen. Montgomery will begin the season as the only left-hander in the Cubs bullpen.

Left-handed reliever Brian Duensing will begin the season on the 10-day disabled list with back tightness, leaving Montgomery as the only lefty in the pen. However, both Justin Grimm and Koji Uehara are reverse splits right-handers, meaning they are better against left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters.

Next: Cubs 2017 Roster Preview: Position-by-Position Breakdown

Duensing starting the season on the DL allowed the Chicago Cubs to keep both Matt Szczur and Tommy La Stella on the Opening Day roster. The 25th spot appeared to be coming down to Szczur and La Stella, but the Cubs were bailed out by the injury. However, they are going to have to make a decision sooner or later.

The Chicago Cubs have a loaded 25-man roster that will compete with the best teams in baseball. They are obvious World Series contenders for 2017.

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