Joe Maddon posted his lineup for the opener of the four-game series with the Diamondbacks
Joe Maddon is batting John Lackey ninth in the Cubs first lineup of the season under National League rules. Addison Russell is hitting eighth.
Ben Zobrist is back in the three-hole in front of Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant is fifth. Kyle Schwarber is starting in left field.
Cubs starting lineup: Dexter Fowler CF, Jason Heyward RF, Ben Zobrist 2B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Kris Bryant 3B, Kyle Schwarber LF, Miguel Montero C, Addison Russell SS and John Lackey P
Maddon’s bench for Thursday: Jorge Soler, Matt Szczur, Tommy La Stella and David Ross
Maddon has six left-handed bats (four lefties, two switch-hitters) in his lineup tonight as would be expected. Right-handers hit .214/.265/.346 off Rubby De La Rosa last season with a .611 OPS. And lefties batted .315/.382/.567 with a .949 OPS against De La Rosa a year ago.
John Lackey takes the hill for the first time with the Cubs in the start of the four-game series.
Jason Hammel (Friday), Kyle Hendricks (Saturday) and Jake Arrieta (Sunday) are scheduled to square off against lefty Robbie Ray, Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller this weekend at Chase Field.
The last time the Cubs faced Rubby De La Rosa, Kris Bryant hit a rather memorable home run against him at Wrigley Field.