Chicago Cubs Pregame Notes: Loaded lineup poised for title defense

On a national stage, the Chicago Cubs open their title defense on the road against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals Sunday night.

Five months later, the Chicago Cubs are ready to defend their World Series title. But they face an immediate test in the form of the St. Louis Cardinals on the road.

Chicago manager Joe Maddon, who is entering his third year at the helm of the Cubs, wasted little time in giving his first surprise lineup of the season. Jason Heyward, traditionally the team’s right fielder, gets the start in center field.

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Javier Baez will pair up with Addison Russell up the middle, while World Series MVP Ben Zobrist takes over in right. Heyward will be flanked by slugger Kyle Schwarber in left field, as well.

On the mound, the Cubs hand the ball to Jon Lester, coming off one of the best seasons of his big-league career. The southpaw won 19 games last season, finishing second in NL Cy Young voting at season’s end.

St. Louis right-hander Carlos Martinez takes the ball for the Cardinals. The hard-throwing ace will face a Cubs lineup that can put up runs in a hurry. Last season, he went 16-9 with an earned run average just north of 3.00.

Here are the starting lineups for Opening Night.

And, as if you needed help getting pumped for tonight’s season opener, the Cubs dropped this little hype video this afternoon.

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