Chicago Cubs have leadoff leader in Fowler
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon has all kinds of lineup machinations and combinations at his disposal.
For Tuesday's series finale against the Los Angeles Angels, Maddon switched things up against left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney, getting right-handed batter Matt Szczur into the lineup in left field.
The middle of the order was different, too.
But there remains one constant: leadoff man Dexter Fowler.
When Fowler all but parachuted into spring training a few weeks back after his surprise re-signing with the Cubs, he solved a number of problems for the team. He plays a solid center fielder, and his return allowed Jason Heyward to move to his familiar spot in right.
And no matter what Maddon does in the middle and bottom of the batting order. Fowler is the guy at the top.
On Opening Night, Fowler went 3-for-4 with a walk and 3 runs scored. He made his presence felt immediately, leading off the game with a double and scoring.
"He's showed it last night; that's what he did pretty much the second half of last season," Maddon said Tuesday. "He was the guy who really got us going, and (Kyle) Schwarber hitting second. When Schwarbs came on line, it made a huge difference for us in the second half. It's set up a little bit differently now except for the fact that Dexter still is that guy."
It was a long winter of uncertainty for Fowler, who wound up coming back to the Cubs on a one-year deal (with a mutual option for 2017) on Feb. 25. A popular guy in the clubhouse, Fowler has slid right back into the fold.
"Team wise, yeah," he said. "We've got some unfinished business and are trying to take care of it this year."
Fowler put up a line of .250/.346/.411 last year with a career-best 17 home runs. Being the constant at the top of the order appeals to him.
"Oh, for sure," he said. "I've been hitting leadoff for my whole career - hitting first or second - so being out of the leadoff spot would definitely be change for me."
Maddon's catch phrase for Fowler when he goes to the plate is, "You go, we go." In other words, if Fowler is doing good things, the Cubs are enjoying success.
"Hopefully, that's not going away for several more years," Maddon said. "The ingratiating personality that he has and the energy that he has, all that stuff matters to us on a daily basis."
A switch hitter, Fowler batted .326 with 4 homers right-handed and .228 with 13 homers left-handed.
"It's always interesting to have him bat right-handed," Maddon said. "It's beautiful, man. The energy is great. Him showing up in camp and what he meant to the group is obvious. I feel pretty good about it."