Chicago Cubs Rumors: Opening Day Lineup Teased For Cubs Vs. Cardinals
Chicago Cubs rumors about the Opening Day lineup for the team include several interesting projections. The Cubs vs. Cardinals game on Sunday night (April 5) will open the 2015 MLB season and possibly prove that the Chicago franchise is relevant in the National League again. As such, newly hired manager Joe Maddon might have some tricks up his sleeve. That includes a report in the Chicago Tribune stating he might have Opening Day pitcher Jon Lester hitting eighth in the batting order.
When it comes to the projected Opening Day lineup for the Chicago Cubs, an earlier release from the Chicago Tribune walked fans through how the batting order should look. Center fielder Dexter Fowler is expected to hit leadoff and be followed by right fielder Jorge Soler, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, and shortstop Starlin Castro. It is expected that prospect Kris Bryant could assume that cleanup hitting role in the near future, but Castro is holding down the spot for now.
The rest of the batting order is presumed to be left fielder Chris Coghlan batting fifth, followed by third baseman Mike Olt, catcher David Ross, and second baseman Tommy La Stella. Infielder Arismendy Alcantara is expected to see a lot of action as well, but the current Chicago Cubs rumors indicate the team will primarily go with La Stella. This is where it gets tricky, as La Stella could end up hitting ninth if the recent story about Lester hitting eighth turns out to be true.
As for the starting rotation, that seems to be something that the Chicago Cubs are already prepared to reveal. The team has Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Jason Hammel, Kyle Hendricks, and Travis Wood slated to begin the season in that order. Lester was almost immediately announced as the Opening Day starter when the team extended a huge offseason contract to him. There is a lot of pressure for him to perform immediately, and fans would love to see him beat the St. Louis Cardinals on Opening Day.
The decision to place the power-hitting Soler might come as a surprise to some Chicago Cubs fans. There aren’t too many No. 2 hitters in the league that have his type of power at the plate. Joe Maddon spoke about that when he talked to the Chicago Tribune about the season.
“(Soler has) a combination of plate discipline and the ability to drive in runs. He’s a different cat.”
As previously reported on the Inquisitr, the Opening Day game against the St. Louis Cardinals will begin at 8:05 p.m. ET. Adam Wainwright takes the mound against the Chicago Cubs as he tries to lead the Cardinals to another National League Central title. Is this the year that the Cubs will contend for another pennant?
[Image Source: Brian Kersey/Getty Images]
