Baseball season is back and the Cubs' 2021 campaign begins Thursday at Wrigley Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Kyle Hendricks will take the bump in the season opener, his second straight Opening Day start following a complete game shutout in 2020 against Milwaukee. Behind him is an accomplished, tenured Cubs lineup, with a slight new look to it.
Joc Pederson is making his Cubs debut after seven years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. David Bote is starting at second base after winning the job this spring.
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Here's the starting nine manager David Ross is sending out for Game 1 of 162:
CF Ian Happ
C Willson Contreras
1B Anthony Rizzo
MLB
3B Kris Bryant
LF Joc Pederson
SS Javy Báez
RF Jason Heyward
2B David Bote
P Kyle Hendricks
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