Cubs' Jason Heyward: Starts in center field Opening Day

Heyward got the start in center field for Sunday's Opening Day loss to the Cardinals. He went 1-for-4 and scored a run.

Analysis:

Most of the offseason chatter surrounded whether Jon Jay or Albert Almora would get the bulk of the playing time in center, so manager Joe Maddon proceeded to throw a bit of an Opening Day curveball. Heyward has made 35 appearances in center dating back to 2015, so he's experienced there. Using Heyward in center allowed Maddon to put Ben Zobrist in right and get Javier Baez a start at second, which gave the lineup a bit more pop. Expect Almora and Jay to continue getting plenty of time in center, but Maddon clearly isn't afraid to move his players around.