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OK then. Why is the Chicago Cubs lineup better than its number six rating?
Let's start at the beginning; a very good place to start. Last year, leadoff man was a disaster for the Cubs beginning with the ill advised decision to force Kyle Schwarber into that role.

This year Ian Happ has led off in every game he has played and has a slash line of .333/.417/.810/1.226 with five home runs. Last year Happ hit 24 Homeruns in115 games. Further, observers in Arizona are unanimous in saying that Happ's defensive play in Center field has taken significant strides.

The next two players in the Cubs order are Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. Even if they only maintain what they did last year, that is a potent combo. I think they will be better. Their Spring Training performance thus far says they will be better. Both of them are superior defensive players, particularly Rizzo.

The cleanup hitter will be Willson Contreras. Last year Contreras hit 21 Home Runs and drove in 74 runs despite missing a month late in the season. He is, or shortly will be, the best all around catcher in baseball.

We come now to the chief reason that I think the Cubs lineup is under valued.
Kyle Schwarber. Forget the first half of Schwarber's season last year. Making him the lead off man totally screwed up his game and his hitting. Add to that the fact that he basically missed an entire year and you have a recipe for disaster. After hitting .171 in the first half, Schwarber was sent down to Iowa for a few weeks. Upon returning, he hit 17 home runs with a slash line of .253/.335/.559/894.

But the main reason for optimism regarding "Schwarbs" has come this spring. His slash line is .381/.471/.786/1.256. But the most important stats are Kyle's improvement against lefties. After never hitting higher than .220 against southpaw previously, his slash line against those pitchers currently stands at .429/.500.;857/1.357

He is hitting the ball to all fields, not pulling everything as before. He has four stolen bases, more than his entire MLB career previously and has been caught stealing only once.

Addison Russell. Russell did not have a good year last year. Several nagging injuries and distracting personal issues contributed to his downfall. Those factors are no longer in play and I expect Addy to be much closer to his 2016 numbers. In fact I predict 30 home runs and 100 plus RBI's.

Jason Heyward. Unfortunately, I can't say much good here. He has to step up his game.

Javier Baez. Best defensive second baseman in the game with improving offensive numbers. Another possible 30 home run guy.