Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/2/21): Happ Leads Off, Bryant at 3B, Alzolay Starts Sloan Park Opener

Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air! Marquee Sports Network has the live game action today from the Cubs’ spring home opener as they welcome the Royals to Sloan Park. Those of you who don’t have access to Marquee can watch the game later on MLB Network.

All the regulars missing from Monday’s lineup are starting today, which means yesterday’s locks get the day off. Ian Happ is leading off as the DH, Nico Hoerner bats and plays second, Jason Heyward is in right, and Kris Bryant is at third.

Austin Romine is behind the plate, Nick Martini is in left, Patrick Wisdom is the first baseman, Rafael Ortega is in center, and Ildemaro Vargas mans short. That last bit might be slightly interesting because Vargas is now the only player to start both games and he’s played both middle infield spots. That could speak to his shot at breaking camp as part of the big league roster.

Adbert Alzolay gets the start in this one as he builds a case for being part of the regular rotation. The young righty added a two-seam and slider mid-season in 2020 and has the stuff to be a top-line starter, but he’s never logged as many as 121 innings in a single season.

Alzolay’s outing will be brief and there’s a long list of pitchers slated to follow him, some of whom are very intriguing. Rule 5 pick Gray Fenter could be fun to watch and lefty Brendon Little has been touching high-90’s since at least fall instructs. Also scheduled to throw are Juan Gámez, Jonathan Holder, Jake Jewell, Dillon Maples, Duane Underwood Jr., and Dan Winkler.

First pitch is set for 2:05pm CT and, again, will be carried by Marquee.

Here's today's lineup for our Spring Training home opener! pic.twitter.com/ofv00w5baX

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 2, 2021