Chicago Cubs Lineup: Baez Leading Off, Jay in Left Batting 2nd, Almora in Center Field

Joe Maddon has a little bit of an interesting twist in today’s lineup by slotting Jon Jay in left field and Albert Almora in center. We were reminded yesterday just how special Almora’s defense can be when he made a great grab up against the center field wall (see it here). Couple that with his potential on offense — he stroked a double and scored a run yesterday — and it’s plain to see how good this kid could be this year.

We’ll get our first look at RHP Eddie Butler — who the Cubs recently acquired from the Colorado Rockies — in his first start of the Spring. Butler offers an interesting option for the Cubs, either in the bullpen or as a sixth starter, if he can find a way to fix that which has knocked him off the path he was on earlier in his career. His slider has the potential to be elite and we all know that Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio has the ability to help him get there.

Here’s today’s starting lineup for the Cubs as they take on the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, Arizona.

#Cubs lineup vs KC: Baez 2B, Jay LF, Contreras C, Candelario 3B, Almora CF, Dominguez 1B, Caratini DH, Szczur RF, Kawasaki SS

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) March 1, 2017