Cubs set 25-man roster for NLDS against Giants

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After much speculation among fans and the Chicago media, the Cubs have set their 25-man roster for the National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants that kicks off Friday night at Wrigley Field.

With the Cubs locking up a spot in the NLDS so early, the fun for fans and media turned to how the roster would be constructed.

In the end, the Cubs front office and Joe Maddon's coaching staff opted for 14 hitters and 11 pitchers, including three catchers and seven relievers.

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Jorge Soler was one of the guys in question with his health woes - he missed much of the last two weeks of the regular season with a side issue - but the Cubs ultimately deemed him healthy enough for a spot on the roster. 

Maddon called Soler "an offensive force" during the final homestand of the season and said other teams absolutely have to gameplan around him. 

The slugger proved that last postseason when he set a major-league record by reaching base his first nine trips to the plate against the St. Louis Cardinals and wound up posting a .474 batting average and 1.705 OPS in 7 playoff games.

The surprise is no Matt Szczur on the NLDS roster, who played in 106 games during the regular season, hitting .259 with a .712 OPS while playing all three outfield positions. In his place, Albert Almora Jr. will get his first taste of the postseason.

Almora figures to be a key defensive replacement in the outfield in the latter innings.

[SHOP: Gear up, Cubs fans!]

Here is the complete 25-man roster for the Cubs:

Catchers

David Ross
Miguel Montero
Willson Contreras

Infielders

Anthony Rizzo
Kris Bryant
Ben Zobrist
Addison Russell
Javy Baez
Tommy La Stella

Outfielders

Dexter Fowler
Jason Heyward
Jorge Soler
Albert Almora Jr.
Chris Coghlan

Starting pitchers

Jon Lester
Kyle Hendricks
Jake Arrieta
John Lackey

Bullpen

Aroldis Chapman
Hector Rondon
Pedro Strop
Justin Grimm
Travis Wood
Carl Edwards Jr.
Mike Montgomery

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