"Michael Busch is leading off for the Cubs, which is where he finished the year last season. I suspect Nico Hoerner will lead off against lefties, but Busch should be the guy against righties."
"Alex Bregman, the Cubs big offseason addition, batting second, also where he was for most of the spring, followed by Ian Happ batting third."
"Ballesteros, 22, is one of the younger players you'll see in a starting lineup this good, and for good reason. We all believe in his bat THAT much."
"Matt Shaw, not Michael Conforto or Dylan Carlson, is getting the Opening Day nod in right field. This Suzuki absence is a good opportunity for Shaw to get everyday at-bats."
The Chicago Cubs are set to begin their 2026 season against the Nationals at Wrigley Field. Michael Busch leads off, followed by Alex Bregman and Ian Happ. With Seiya Suzuki on the injured list, Pete Crow-Armstrong moves to cleanup. Nico Hoerner and Carson Kelly follow, with Moises Ballesteros as the starting DH. Dansby Swanson bats eighth, and Matt Shaw gets the nod in right field. This lineup reflects strategic adjustments due to player availability and aims to maximize offensive potential.
Read at Bleacher Nation
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]