Joe Maddon makes changes to Cubs’ Lester Lineup for Series opener
Game 1 of The World Series is tonight (7:08pm CDT) at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Jon Lester takes on right-hander Corey Kluber and Joe Maddon made a couple of changes to his lineup.
Kyle Schwarber is starting and batting fifth behind Ben Zobrist. Chris Coghlan makes his first start of the postseason. Coghlan is hitting seventh and playing right field. Jason Heyward is not starting.
Joe Maddon is going with an outfield of Ben Zobrist (LF), Dexter Fowler (CF) and Chris Coghlan (RF).
David Ross is behind the dish for Jon Lester. And Maddon is sticking with the regular infield he uses when Lester is on the mound.
Cubs batting order: Dexter Fowler CF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Ben Zobrist LF, Kyle Schwarber DH, Javier Baez 2B, Chris Coghlan RF, Addison Russell SS, David Ross C
Corey Kluber limited right-handers to a .615 OPS during the regular season. Opponents had 34 extra basehits (20 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs) and a .206/.261/.354 line. Left-handers hit .226/.289/.359 with a .648 OPS and 30 extra basehits (19 doubles, two triples, nine home runs).
Joe Maddon will begin the game with Miguel Montero, Willson Contreras, Jason Heyward, Albert Almora Jr. and Jorge Soler on the bench.