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Chicago Cubs: Playing both sides of the historic rivalry

Apr 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) is congratulated by right fielder Ben Zobrist (18) and center fielder Jason Heyward (22) after hitting a three run home run off St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Seung-Hwan Oh (not pictured) during the ninth inning of opening night at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras (40) is congratulated by right fielder Ben Zobrist (18) and center fielder Jason Heyward (22) after hitting a three run home run off St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Seung-Hwan Oh (not pictured) during the ninth inning of opening night at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
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Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Heyward

As mentioned above, Jason Heyward will be unable to play in this series due to a finger injury. However, it is worth mentioning that Heyward spent one season with the Cardinals after five seasons with the Atlanta Braves.

Heyward appeared in 154 games for the Cardinals in 2015 and slashed .293/.359/.439 with 13 home runs and 60 RBI.

Following that stellar season, the Cubs inked Heyward to an eight-year, $184 million deal at the beginning of the 2016 season. It is safe to say that deal backfired on the Cubs in 2016.

In 142 games, Heyward slashed .230/.306/.325 with seven home runs and 49 RBI. The four-time Gold Glover recorded an OPS+ of 71 in 2016.

Heyward was in the news most of the off-season as he worked to re-tool his swing for the 2017 season. Early signs point to positive change for the 27-year-old.

In 28 games this season, Heyward is slashing .253/.333/.364 with three home runs and 17 RBI. Even with the changes, Heyward still has some work to do if he wants to return to his 2015 form.

Heyward will be able to return on May 16 if his finger injury is resolved.

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