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

Chicago Cubs: Joe Maddon loves to tinker

This isn’t anything new. We all know Maddon is going to tinker and play matchups. The tinkering seems to have yielded positive results for most of his four years with the Cubs. But why does he have to tinker with Schwarber specifically?

In my mind, there are two positions that likely need such attention right now: second base and centerfield. With Ian Happ down in Iowa to start the year, you can argue the Cubs should have as close to a set lineup for a month or so as they have ever had under Maddon.

Give Almora a day off and put Heyward in center, give Schwarber a day off when he needs it (preferably against a lefty throwing 95+, not Mike Minor), give Contreras days off as needed and rotate David Bote and Ben Zobrist in as you see fit.

Daniel Descalso and Zagunis can be the guys to spell them and you can move around other guys and adjust as needed. Quite honestly though, Zagunis and Descalso are bench pieces, not everyday players with the potential to hit 40 home runs and transform an offense.

Maddon doesn’t tinker with Bryant. He doesn’t tinker with Baez now (not that he could anyhow since he is the only true shortstop we have on the roster). He doesn’t tinker with Rizzo. Schwarber should be in the same group. How could he be in the same group if he doesn’t hit lefties as well as Rizzo, you ask? Well, once upon a time, Anthony Rizzo was the same guy Kyle Schwarber is today.