SAN FRANCISCO — Right fielder Jason Heyward is out of the Cubs’ starting lineup for Monday night’s NL Division Series Game 3 as manager Joe Maddon aims to give Chicago more offensive power against San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner.
Jorge Soler was inserted to start in left field while Ben Zobrist shifted from left to play the expansive right field at AT&T Park. Miguel Montero earned the start at catcher in place of Willson Contreras to work with Jake Arrieta. Soler, who had a career-high 12 homers during the regular season, batted .474 (9 for 19) with three home runs and three doubles in the 2015 post-season.
Chicago led the Giants 2-0 in the best-of-five series going into the matchup with Bumgarner, who had a 23-inning scoreless streak in the post-season while helping the Giants win their last nine elimination games.
Maddon expected to use Heyward — who took the news well — at some point for defence, especially if the Cubs took a quick lead.
