When the Chicago Cubs hired Joe Maddon in December, they hired him for his innovative, unconventional managerial style. Well, they’re getting a taste of that tonight. While the lineup figures to be fairly standard 1-7, the 8-9 may turn some heads. As my colleague Joshua Sadlock wrote about the other day, Lester isn’t simply a bad hitter, he’s the worst-hitting pitcher. In 43 major league at-bats, Lester has exactly zero hits, one walk, and one RBI. In spite of this, Maddon is slotting Lester in the eighth spot, with second baseman Tommy La Stella rounding out the lineup.
Also noteworthy is Cuban rookie Jorge Soler slotted at second in the order. In his brief time with the major league club, Soler impressed many with his power. As expected, Joe Maddon is playing Lester’s personal catcher, David Ross, ahead of Miguel Montero. Ross will bat seventh. In other roster news, the Cubs designated OF Ryan Sweeney for assignment while Jonathan Herrera and Matt Szczur both made the major league club.
Cubs set roster designate Ryan Sweeney for assignment . Select the contract of Jonathan Herrera . Matt Szczur makes the club
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) April 5, 2015
1. Dexter Fowler CF
2014 stats (With Houston): .276 BA, .375 OBP, 1.4 WAR
2015 ZiPS: .265 BA, .371 OBP, 2.1 WAR
2. Jorge Soler RF
2014 stats (24 games): .292 BA, .330 OBP, .7 WAR
2015 ZiPS: .252 BA, .310 OBP, 1.1 WAR
3. Anthony Rizzo 1B
2014 stats: .286 BA, .386 OBP, 5.6 WAR
2015 ZiPS: .270 BA, .358 OBP, 4.6 WAR
4. Starlin Castro SS
2014 stats: .292 BA, .339 OBP, 2.7 WAR
2015 ZiPS: .286 BA, .328 OBP, 3.2 WAR
5. Chris Coghlan LF
2014 stats: .283 BA, .352 OBP, 2.3 WAR
2015 ZiPS: .247 BA, .318 OBP, 0 WAR
6. Mike Olt 3B
2014 stats: .160 BA, .248 OBP, -.6 WAR
2015 ZiPS: .208 BA, .288 OBP, .8 WAR
7. David Ross C
2014 stats (With Boston): .184 BA, .260 OBP, .3 WAR
2015 ZiPS: .195 BA, .265 OBP, .2 WAR
8. Jon Lester SP
2014 stats (With Boston/Oakland): 16-11, 2.46 ERA, 5.6 WAR
2015 ZiPS: 15-9, 3.10 ERA, 4.3 WAR
9. Tommy La Stella 2B
2014 stats (With Atlanta): .251 BA, .328 OBP, -.1 WAR
2015 ZiPS: .267 BA, .337 OBP, 1.3 WAR
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