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Chicago Cubs Lineup: Starting Nine for Opening Day vs. St. Louis Cardinals

By Dan Schmelzer

Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez commits a throwing error against the Cleveland Indians in the first inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez commits a throwing error against the Cleveland Indians in the first inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Cubs Lineup for Opening Day against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Have you heard? The Chicago Cubs play a real baseball game today. For the first time since they won the World Series, Joe Maddon and the Chicago Cubs will take the field in a game that counts in the standings.

On Opening Day, the Cubs will oppose their division rival St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Carlos Martinez will take the mound for the Cardinals and he will be opposed by Cubs ace Jon Lester.

We have known about the starting pitchers for a while now, but we now know the starting nine for the Chicago Cubs on Opening Day. This is the lineup that will take on Martinez and play in support of Lester:

Well, well, well looks like your boy got it right on his lineup prediction. Alright, that’s enough with the not-so-humble brag, let’s dig into this lineup a bit.

Yes, I did predict this lineup on Friday but this starting nine will be a surprise to many. The Chicago Cubs “everyday” lineup is expected to feature some combination of Albert Almora and Jon Jay in center field. However, Maddon trots Jason Heyward out there to start the season.

Moving Heyward to center allows Maddon to get Javy Baez into the lineup, by way of putting Ben Zobrist in right field. Baez is a highlight reel waiting to happen who always seems to show up the most when the lights are brightest. Expect him to make some big plays against the Cardinals tonight.

Getting Baez into the lineup probably also had something to do with Lester being on the mound. Having Baez and his elite tagging ability at second base should help keep the Cardinals in check in the run game. Lester has a lot of trouble holding on runners, but the combination of Willson Contreras behind the plate and Baez at second base can be deadly against teams trying to steal bases.

Next: Five Bold Predictions for 2017 Cubs

The rosters are set, the lineups are ready and Opening Day is here! First pitch for Cubs vs Cardinals will be at 7:35 pm ET. Here is how you can watch.

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