Chicago Cubs set lineup for Game 1 of World Series
CLEVELAND - After putting Kyle Schwarber on their World Series roster, the Cubs are putting him in the lineup tonight and he'll bat fifth. Chris Coghlan replaces Jason Heyward in right field and will bat seventh.
Here is tonight's lineup for Game 1 against Cleveland pitcher Corey Kluber:
Dexter Fowler CF
Kris Bryant 3B
Anthony Rizzo 1B
Ben Zobrist LF
Kyle Schwarber DH
Javy Baez 2B
Chris Coghlan RF
Addison Russell SS
David Ross C
Jon Lester P
To make room on the roster for Schwarber, the Cubs removed rookie relief pitcher Rob Zastryzny.
The 23-year-old Schwarber has been on the disabled list since the first week of April, when he suffered a serious knee injury during an outfield collision with center fielder Dexter Fowler during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Schwarber immediately began rehabbing the knee, and last week, he was given medical clearance to play baseball in all aspects except playing the field. He spent the last few days playing in the Arizona Fall League and working out at the Cubs' facility in Mesa.
The World Series will use the DH in Games 1 and 2 and again in Games 6 and 7, if necessary.
Schwarber became a folk hero of sorts last October with 5 home runs in the postseason, including one that landed on top of the right-field video board at Wrigley Field against the St. Louis Cardinals the National League division series. He gives the Cubs a left-handed bat in the lineup.