Amid many comments from GM Jed Hoyer and manager David Ross, the latter revealed that he is still willing to do the most fun (and good!) Above the Cubs’ order: starting hitter Kris Bryant, second. hitter Anthony Rizzo.
The joy for very good friends is real, even if the two of you can only celebrate in spirit right now:
The addition of the designated hitter in the National League changes the story for the rest of the lineup only slightly, as Ross is also inclined to have an established lineup. Some of the names will change thanks to the ability to move that DH role a bit and rest the boys / optimize pairings, so it can’t be said that there’s a definitely established lineup every day. You’ll also want to consider the opposing bullpens for each series when it comes to lineups and the three-hitter rule.
But if there was something akin to an established lineup when we started summer camp, how about this as an option?
1.) Kris Bryant, 3B
2.) Anthony Rizzo, 1B
3.) Javy Báez, SS
4.) Kyle Schwarber, LF
5.) Willson Contreras, C
6.) Jason Heyward, RF
7.) Ian Happ, CF
8.) Victor Caratini, DH
9.) Jason Kipnis / Nico Hoerner / David Bote, 2B
Or this, on a day when you want DH Schwarber:
1.) Kris Bryant, 3B
2.) Anthony Rizzo, 1B
3.) Javy Báez, SS
4.) Kyle Schwarber, DH
5.) Willson Contreras, C
6.) Jason Heyward, RF
7.) Ian Happ, LF
8.) Steven Souza / Albert Almora, CF
9.) Jason Kipnis / Nico Hoerner / David Bote, 2B
I love the idea of Baez hitting third behind Bryant and Rizzo, who are at the base among the team’s best clips. And if anyone reaches first, Schwarber is guaranteed to hit a runner on base. Heyward was away at his best on the order last year (especially against the right-handers), and I dig the way the top seven here naturally alternate hands. Both versions of this lineup also alternate delivery at the bottom of the order, depending on who’s starting on a given day. It will be a very nice natural thing to have as protection against opposing bullpens.
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