Albert Almora Jr. is leading off in center with a lefty on the mound, followed by Kris Bryant at third, Anthony Rizzo at first, and Javy Báez at short. Willson Contreras is catching, David Bote is at second, Jason Heyward is in right, and Mark Zagunis bats ninth in left.
Joe Maddon’s decision to bat the pitcher eighth shows up for the first time in this one since the Cubs opened in an AL park. It’s perhaps a little interesting to see Maddon shy away from the lefty batters given what you’ll learn in a bit, but it worked out in Game 1.