Per Source, Cubs Intend to Start Schwarber as DH
I have been wishy-washy on this, but it seems like the Chicago Cubs brass isn’t. Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber is on his way to Cleveland with the intentions of being in the lineup as the team’s designated hitter for game one of the World Series.
Kyle Schwarber en route to Cleveland now on a private jet. He's expected to DH for the #Cubs in Game 1. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 24, 2016
barring something unforeseen, kyle schwarber is expected to be activated for the WS to be cubs DH. https://t.co/4iuj4gbQkp
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 24, 2016
Kyle had played in the Arizona Fall League game both on Saturday and on Monday. He was 1-6 with a double and a walk in his seven plate appearances in Arizona.
While we have yet to hear anything specific about a possible Kyle Schwarber return, outside of executives saying they will consider all options, there is a large belief that Kyle will return to the Cubs roster for the World Series. The video above shows that the Cubs are not restricting him in any sorts – sending him to second which resulted in a close play and a slide.
Kyle isn’t a stranger to Cleveland, having made his Major League debut as DH against the Indians – collecting 4 hits in his first big league game. He ended that series batting .667 with a homer, a triple, and 4 RBIs.
There will be the question on whose spot Kyle will take, and my best guess is that he will replace Rob Zastryzny, who was on the NLCS roster due to the Dodgers inability to hit left handed pitching. Since the Indians hit .268/.330/.419 against lefties, there won’t be a need for the extra arm.
