Dansby Swanson began the season batting primarily in the five-hole, getting 119 consecutive plate appearances there once the Cubs began the domestic leg of the season. He batted .173 with a 53 wRC+ and four homers during that stretch, prompting Craig Counsell to drop him down to the eighth spot in the order following much consternation from fans. After hitting .422 with a 255 wRC+ and five homers in just 50 PAs, some of which came at seven, the manager saw fit to move his shortstop back up a little higher.
Starting on May 17 against the White Sox, Swanson has batted either fourth or fifth in all but 36 of 160 plate appearances.