New bullpens will take some getting used to
The most noticeable change inside Wrigley Field concerns the bullpens. For the first time, the bullpens no longer are on the field, down the left-field and right-field lines.
They've been relocated to under the bleachers in left-center and right-center fields.
The Chicago Cubs have cited player safety as a reason for getting the bullpen mounds off the field, but the addition of new seating also has played a factor.
Either way, getting used to the new pens is going to take some time, both for players and the fans, who no longer can see pitchers warming up pregame and during games. The Cubs have cameras inside the bullpens but made limited use of them on the videoboards during Monday night's home opener, and there was no feed in the main press box for media to see who was warming up.
For the pitchers, they have to get used to warming up indoors.
"It's really easy in that bullpen," said Jon Lester, who started Monday's game for the Cubs. "I had to have them open the doors back up when I was out there because you're pretty separated. For a night like tonight (with pregame hoopla), it was good. You had the separation and definitely distanced yourself from the crowd and what was going on.
"But leading up to that point, it was nice to be on the field and see everything and the team being introduced and all the applause and all that stuff. It was good. It was definitely easy to separate yourself when you got into that bullpen and got ready for that game."
Some pitchers prefer warming up on the field.
"It will take a little bit of time for our guys to get used to it," Lester said. "For me it's going to take a little bit of time. I had Lester (bullpen coach Strode) open the doors back up so you had at least a little bit of crowd noise and music and just different things going on.
"When the doors are closed, it feels like you're in an off-season training facility throwing a bullpen (session) with ESPN on the TV. It will take a little bit of time. We're used to the other way."
Schwarber's keen eye:
Cubs manager Joe Maddon made left fielder-catcher Kyle Schwarber the leadoff hitter because of Schwarber's ability to get on base. Schwarber's power also can give the Cubs an early strike.
Over the first seven games of the season, Schwarber has a batting average of only .222 (6-for-27), but he has 2 doubles and 2 homers. He also is tied with Ben Zobrist for the team lead in walks (6). His on-base percentage is .382.
Schwarber walked three times and scored a run in Monday's 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"And against a lefty, too, which is kind of nice," Maddon said, referring to Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood. "Wood had really good stuff. I don't remember him throwing that hard. Schwarbs worked really good at-bats to set the whole thing up. I know he does not want to be platooned, and that's his method of not ever caving in. Great at-bats on his part."
This and that:
Anthony Rizzo collected his sixth career walk-off RBI with his two-out single in Monday night's ninth inning. It was his first walk-off RBI since he drew a walk against the Cardinals last Aug. 11 … Kris Bryant has reached base in 12 of 21 plate appearances over his last four games.