Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/31/25): Brown Pitching, Shaw at Third, Kelly Catching

The only good thing about yet another late start for the Cubs is that it’s not a day off. Having to stew on Sunday’s collapse any longer than necessary would be less than great, plus they get the added bonus of playing in a minor league park. This is the Cubs’ third of four openers, and it’s also the second time they’ve gone from large, roofed stadiums to smaller venues. Not gonna lie, it’s super weird to me.

What’s not weird is seeing Ben Brown in the starting rotation, something we were calling for back at the start of camp. Brown finished 2024 with a 3.58 ERA through 55.1 innings pitched, after being shut down in June due to a benign mass in his shoulder. That’s in the past now, and despite getting roughed up in Tokyo by the Dodgers, the expectations remain high.

The Cubs will be going with the standard lineup, starting with Ian Happ in left, Kyle Tucker in right, Seiya Suzuki at DH, Michael Busch at first, and Dansby Swanson at short. Nico Hoerner is at second, Pete Crow-Armstrong is in center, Matt Shaw is at third, and Carson Kelly is catching.

Brown will be up against RHP Joey Estes, who gave up six runs in one inning of work in his sole appearance against the Cubs on September 16, 2024. He primarily throws two pitches, a low-90s four-seamer and a slider, while occasionally mixing in the changeup.

First pitch is at 9:05pm CT on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.