Chicago Cubs: Why fans wanted Kyle Schwarber to play on Opening Day

Chicago Cubs: Kyle Schwarber is, in fact, a really good hitter

Regardless of how you slice it, Kyle Schwarber is one of the best hitters on this Cubs roster. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist are better and more accomplished hitters at this juncture. Javier Baez is a freak of nature and does his damage like Vladimir Guerrero used to.

Schwarber is coming off a rebound campaign, of sorts. After a dismal 2017 showing, he transformed his body and elevated his all-around game. Last year, he hit 26 long-balls and put up a 115 OPS+ over the course of 137 ballgames. Essentially, what I’m saying is he’s on the up-and-up.

So, taking those four out of the equation, Kyle Schwarber can be no worse than the fifth-best hitter on the Chicago Cubs. Shouldn’t you have your fifth-best hitter playing, especially in American League-style ball where you have the benefit of a ninth hitter?

Of course, you should. This is an easy question and an easy answer. If you’re going to platoon someone, do it with someone else, because you don’t take one of your best hitters out of the lineup. Now that Kyle Schwarber is an improved fielder as well, this is even more of a no-brainer.