Chicago Cubs: The most effective lineup they have isn’t being used

While the offense is scoring runs, the daily lineup used by the Chicago Cubs is not effective enough. How should the lineup be structured?

The start to the season for the Chicago Cubs can be called one thing: average. It is not what we expected or hoped. Still, they’re tied for the NL Central lead. That said, it could be better.

Maybe it is the hangover of playing long, pressure-filled series in the playoffs. Or the six-month celebration by the team and fans during the offseason that spilled into April. Whatever the reasons for the slower-than-expected start, the Cubs are still treading water.

The pitching has been a concern, but improvements are being witnessed. The first inning runs are an issue. After two straight not allowing a run in the first, that came to an end last night with Brett Anderson‘s outing. The bullpen has been solid overall, with minor cracks in their armor to this point. While the staff is not the best in baseball statically right now, they are keeping the team in most games.

What should be a concern is the offense. With 144 runs scored in in 29 games, the Cubs sit seventh in all of baseball for scoring. They trail the MLB-leading Washington Nationals by 39 runs going into play Saturday. The Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers are a few runs ahead of the Cubs as well.

The team is scoring five runs per game and leaving almost eight runners on base. With an on-base percentage of .337 (fourth in baseball), opportunities to score are abundant. Furthermore, they Cubs take the extra base 48% of the time, with is fourth in the MLB. However, batting .229 with runners in scoring position, the team is only hurting themselves.

Maybe it is time to change the lineup. Where is what I propose.