Chicago Cubs host the Reds in 101st opener at Wrigley Field

The Chicago Cubs host their 101st Wrigley Field opener as the Cincinnati Reds come to town for the first time since 1999.

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The

will host their 101st home opener at Wrigley Field as the Cincinnati Reds come to town for a three-game series. The Cubs (5-1) and surprising Reds (5-1) are tied atop the Central division as

(1-0, 1.29) will pitch the season opener at Wrigley for the second straight year.

(0-0, 3.00) gets the start for the Reds who come off a series win against the Pittsburg Pirates.

The Cubs offense will get Dexter Fowler back as he didn’t start in the finale of the Diamondbacks’ series but did pinch-hit late in the game. Fowler is batting .526 to start the year and has once again been a catalyst at the top of the order. Jason Heyward is the only Cubs player in the starting lineup that has faced Finnegan and has had just one at-bat.

Lester’s ability to stop the running game will once again be tested as Billy Hamilton will look to get on and press the issue. Hamilton (.800 in five at-bats) and Brandon Phillips (.417 in 12 at-bats) have had the most success against the southpaw Lester.

On another note, the Cubs finally got a chance to see their new digs when they got back late last night. Needless to say, I’m jealous just looking at it via video–and slightly upset I didn’t make a better effort to be a major leaguer. Yeah, I’m 36–but David Ross is still there, it was possible…er, not, It’s still awesome.

And now the starting lineups for tonight’s 101st opener at Wrigley Field:

Tonight’s game has a first pitch of 7:05 p.m. CT. WGN will have the television coverage while 670 The Score will have the radio broadcast. Be sure to follow along with us on Twitter @CubbiesCrib as we live tweet during tonight’s opener.