Cubs manager finally makes key change to lineup, moves up red-hot first baseman

The Chicago Cubs have made a lineup change ahead of their rubber match with the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

Manager Craig Counsell has moved first baseman Michael Busch up to the five-spot in the batting order and moved shortstop Dansby Swanson to the six-spot.

This move may not seem like a big deal on the surface, but it may create more runs for the Cubs.

Swanson has been a great hitter with nobody on base, slashing .295/.333/.512 with 12 of his 15 home runs.

But with runners on, he is slashing just .188/.253/.308 and with runners in scoring position an even worse .143/.200/.214.

A change needed to be made, especially with Busch being the hottest hitter on the planet right now.

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Busch, 27, has been one of the best hitters on the Cubs after a solid first season with the team. He hit 21 home runs with 65 RBI and slashed .248/.335/.440 in 152 games.

This season, Busch has 18 home runs with 56 RBI while slashing .293/.377/.562 in 83 games. He hit three of Chicago’s historic eight home runs on Friday and ended the day 4-for-4 with five RBI.

Busch has excelled with runners on, slashing .291/.364/.591 with seven home runs and 45 RBI. He’s even better with runners in scoring position, slashing .365/.466/.608.

Busch’s 162 wRC+ is fifth in Major League Baseball and his .562 slugging percentage is sixth in MLB.

The Cubs’ dynamic offense that is already second in runs scored (481) may have just gotten stronger with one small change.

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