Joe Maddon Gives Javier Baez Another Start At Second Base vs. Cardinals

Joe Maddon has a great problem to have if you’re a manager. He has so much talent that he could, if he wanted to, have a different lineup every day of the week. Starting the 2017 season, the Chicago Cubs debuted against the St. Louis Cardinals and as a tribute to the players on the field during the final out of Game 7 of the World Series, Javier Baez got the start at second base. Well, for Tuesday night’s game, Maddon is giving Baez another start at second, while Ben Zobrist heads to the bench.

So, is Baez transitioning into the main starter at second? Not quite, at least not as of now. Maddon was on 670 The Score on Tuesday and discussed the playing time at second base. Zobrist is still the man, despite not starting either of the first two games at second base.

“I would probably, if I had to guess, say Zobrist will get the predominant play at second base,” Maddon said on the Spiegel and Parkins Show on 670 The Score.

Baez, 24, is the best defender on the Cubs, so he’s definitely going to get his opportunities. For Tuesday’s game, Maddon opted to give Baez the nod, but he also put Albert Almora Jr. in center field.

.@JArrieta34 makes his season debut tonight in St. Louis!
Game preview: https://t.co/paNQd2vb6X pic.twitter.com/usXDi1vBFV
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 4, 2017

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With Zobrist out, Addison Russell shifts to the four-hole, while Willson Contreras bats fifth. Jason Heyward moves over to right field and remains as the No. 6 hitter.

Back to Baez. Evan Altman over at Cubs Insider, brought up an interesting point about Baez getting the start at second base every time Jon Lester pitches. The thought being, Baez’s skillset can help offset any trouble Lester has fielding his position and throwing to bases.

But because you can never have too much help, it makes sense for Joe Maddon to bring Javy Baez into the personal-protection racket as well. As teams continue to exploit Lester’s inability to throw to bases, Baez’s specific skill set plays well in offsetting the running game.
Maddon has said that Ben Zobrist will be the primary second baseman, but you know Javy’s going to have to get at least a couple starts there each week. And while he’ll continue to serve as a super sub all over the infield, I expect we’ll see him paired with Lester as sort of an anchor point for his usage.
(Evan Altman)

I still think that when it comes to the playoffs, Baez will be the every day starting second baseman and then Maddon will shuffle things up in the outfield with Zobrist.

As far as the game against St. Louis, Jake Arrieta makes his first start of 2017, which could end up being his last year with the Cubs. The righty has dominated the Cardinals since joining the Cubs in 2013. These numbers are amazing.