So roughly the first tenth of the season is over. The Cubs will play their 16th game Thursday, weather permitting. Thus far, this looks a bit like a rerun of 2017, weak and inconsistent hitting, especially situational hitting, mediocre starting pitching, a struggling leadoff hitter...
Of course, things could turn around pretty quickly and a .500 start is not the end of the world. Still, I rather think that given the nature of the Cubs early season opponents, one supposes they expected to be more like 10-5 at this point, not 7-8.
One bright light has been the bullpen. They have turned in solid work on most occasions, especially in view of the extra-inning games and the short starts delivered by the rotation.
A couple of thoughts. I know Maddon is experimenting with the lineup. However, is it really necessary to expose another top prospect, Ian Happ, who seems entirely unsuited to batting leadoff, to the same disastrous start endured by yet another young player, Kyle Schwarber, who had the same experience last year? How stubborn can you be?
The Cubs do not have a traditional leadoff man. Still, they could do better than Happ. Why not try Almora in that spot against lefties and Heyward against right-handers? Why not bat someone like Russell second so that there might be an off-chance someone is on base for Bryant, Rizzo, and Contreras? Or Schwarber if need be. As a final thought, think about putting Happ in the ninth spot and batting the pitcher eighth, much as they did with Russell in his first season.
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