Pregame: Cubs @ Dbacks; Fowler Out with Sore Hip, Arreita In

Jake Arrieta will take the ball today against Shelby Miller and the Arizona Diamondbacks at 3:10 CDT. It’s Jake’s second start of the season after his dominating performance against the Angels in the Cubs’ season opener. This is the Cubs last game before they head back to Wrigley tomorrow for their home opener.

Joe has moved Ben Zobrist in the lead off position, after he’s proved his ability to get on-base in spectacular fashion, especially in his performance yesterday against the Dbacks.

Meanwhile, the Cubs hottest player to start the year, Dexter Fowler, is out of the lineup. Fowler has been shooting lightening bolts from his bat to begin the 2016 season. In nineteen at-bats he’s hitting .525/.625/.895.

Fowler said that he was feeling the effect of his collision with Kyle Schwarber like he ‘got in a car crash.’ He complained of soreness in his hip after the collision with Kyle. If you recall, Fowler was held out the last few games of spring training due to soreness in his left side. It didn’t seem to effect him so far in the regular season. Early reports are that this time it’s his right side. For now, I don’t believe there’s a lot to be concerned about but we’ll certainly keep this on our radar and report back to you if, and when, we hear anything more.

Here’s today’s lineup:

Jake Arrieta (R) @ Diamondbacks – Shelby Miller (R)
1. Ben Zobrist (S) 2B
2. Jason Heyward (L) CF
3. Kris Bryant (R) RF
4. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
5. Jorge Soler (R) LF
6. Tommy La Stella (L) 3B
7. Miguel Montero (L) C
8. Addison Russell (R) SS
9. Jake Arrieta (R) P