CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- With Opening Day upon us, the Cubs' first lineup with the universal designated hitter implemented in MLB includes seven players who have hit 24 or more home runs in a season at some point in their careers.
It will be that power and a potentially explosive offense that the Cubs will count on to lead them to success in the shortened 60-game season in 2020. They'll utilize the DH spot to find rest for players and to create the most advantageous matchups.
With that in mind, the Cubs chose to carry three catchers on their 30-man roster for Opening Day, allowing them to put both Willson Contreras and the switch-hitting Victor Caratini in the starting lineup with Josh Phegley still available off the bench. Contreras will catch while Caratini will be the DH when the Cubs host the Brewers in their opener at Wrigley Field on Friday evening.
"The way our roster sets up, it makes all the sense in the world to carry three catchers," president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said. "Willson and Victor are two of our better hitters overall. So having three catchers allows us to use them in any role behind the plate, DH spot or aggressively to pinch-hit. The decision was made easier since Phegley has gotten a lot better. From day one, he really embraced the coaching and other concepts we have around here."
First-year manager David Ross likes his flexibility.
"We will talk about who is swinging the bat better," Ross said. "We will consider matchups like pitchers who pitch at the top of the zone or use a four-seam breaking ball. There are guys on the team who like the higher part of the zone or hit the lower ball well."
"We will try and take all of this information from the R&D people and our information staff and match these guys up for success. Sometimes it will be about who is having the best at-bats. At times, the information may say don't play a certain guy. But if I know, for example, Jason Kipnis is swinging the bat well, I will take all of those factors into consideration."
As always, Cubs players can use as much or as little information as they're comfortable with.
"Everyone thinks that the pitchers are catching up to the hitters," outfielder Kyle Schwarber said. "But I think with the way things are going now and all of the plus arms in the bullpen, I think this year will be a bit of a challenge. You have to navigate and have a great plan against those guys. It's going to be like September baseball all over again. With expanded rosters, you are going to have to get used to more bullpen arms early. I still think (hitting) will be a plus overall."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
