MESA, Ariz. – Among the effects of moving Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo up one spot each to 1-2 in the Cubs’ lineup is the ascension of some combination of Javy Baez, Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras to the premier, 3-4 run-producing spots.
“It gives me chills,” said Contreras, the National League’s starting All-Star catcher the last two seasons. “It gives me chills for sure, thinking of KB hitting a double and Rizzo getting an RBI early in the [inning] … or drawing a walk. And then I don’t’ know if it’s Javy or Schwarber or somebody else coming in, getting the RBI.