Javier Baez (thumb) back for Cubs following three-game absence

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez (thumb) is in the starting lineup for Friday afternoon's series opener against right-hander Johan Oviedo and the St. Louis Cardinals.

What It Means:

Baez will bat third and return to shortstop after sitting out the Cubs' three-game series against the San Diego Padres due to a bruised right thumb. He is 1-for-16 with 6 strikeouts over his past four games. Sergio Alcantara will move to second base Friday with Ian Happ sitting.

numberFire’s models project Baez for 11.5 FanDuel points and he has a $3,000 salary on Friday. Per our MLB Heat Map, the Cubs have an implied total of 4.8 runs on Friday. Oviedo has the fifth-lowest strikeout percentage (18.2) and worst walk percentage (15.5) among Friday's listed starters.