With Pete Crow-Armstrong sidelined due to a knee injury, Seiya Suzuki will make his first Major League Baseball appearance in center field during Monday’s game as the Chicago Cubs take on the Kansas City Royals. This shift in the lineup is a notable adjustment prompted by Crow-Armstrong’s unexpected absence.
Impact of Crow-Armstrong’s Injury on Cubs’ Outfield Setup
Crow-Armstrong, who has been a consistent presence in center field and a contender for MVP honors this season, suffered a bruised right knee following a rundown incident against the Boston Red Sox. Manager Craig Counsell provided an update on the injury, explaining,
He just banged it up and woke up and felt a little swollen. So, we’re just going to try to give him the day today and hopefully back in there tomorrow.
This injury forced the Cubs to reconsider their outfield options for the game.
Up to this point in the season, Crow-Armstrong had started 98 of 99 games in center field, with Vidal Brujan filling in briefly. However, Counsell chose to place Suzuki in center field over Brujan, signaling a strategic change in the Cub’s defensive alignment for the matchup against the Royals.
Seiya Suzuki’s Transition to a New Defensive Role
Primarily known as the Cubs’ designated hitter this season, Suzuki has played 66 games in that role, complemented by 14 appearances in left field and 16 in right field. Monday’s contest will mark Suzuki’s first time playing center field in the major leagues, a position where he has limited professional experience, having only played one game there back in 2014 with Japan’s Hiroshima Carp.
For this game, Ian Happ will remain stationed in left field, while Kyle Tucker continues in right field, maintaining some stability in the Cubs’ outfield despite this key change. This adjustment places Suzuki in a crucial defensive position as the team adapts without Crow-Armstrong.
Maintaining Offensive Strength Amid Defensive Adjustments
Although the lineup has shifted defensively, the Cubs’ offense remains a formidable force. Suzuki, along with Crow-Armstrong and Tucker, have all recorded on-base plus slugging percentages (OPS) exceeding .860, contributing substantially to the team’s home run and RBI totals. This offensive power will play a critical role as the Cubs aim to sustain their competitiveness during Crow-Armstrong’s absence.
As Suzuki embraces his new responsibilities in center field and continues to contribute at the plate, the Cubs will rely on their adjusted lineup to keep momentum against the Royals. The outcome of this game could signal how well the team responds to challenges posed by injuries to key players.