The Chicago Cubs are one of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball right now. They have won four straight games and five of their last six contests.
On Friday, they open up a weekend set against the Kansas City Royals.
Before the Royals series began, the Cubs announced a slight change with Dansby Swanson.
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Cubs’ Dansby Swanson Batting 9th on Friday
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 04: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Chicago Cubs fields a ground ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on August 04, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs revealed their lineup against the Royals on 8/7 a few hours before first pitch.
Dansby Swanson, who usually bats eighth or ninth for the Cubs, is hitting 9th on Friday. He’s batted 8th (or 7th; rare) for the past five games.
Here is the full Chicago Cubs’ batting order for Friday night’s game, per @UnderdogMLB:
Cubs 8/7: “P. Crow-Armstrong CF S. Suzuki RF A. Bregman 3B M. Busch 1B N. Hoerner 2B I. Happ LF C. Kelly C P. Ramírez DH D. Swanson SS K. Gausman SP”
P. Crow-Armstrong CF S. Suzuki RF A. Bregman 3B M. Busch 1B N. Hoerner 2B I. Happ LF C. Kelly C P. Ramírez DH D. Swanson SS
K. Gausman SP
Some other notable changes in the Cubs order include Michael Busch and Alex Bregman flipping spots, which is likely due to Kansas City rolling with LHP Daniel Lynch IV, but manager Craig Counsell typically likes to switch things up.
Part of the reason the Cubs offense has been so good this season is because of Swanson’s contributions at the bottom of the order.
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Inside Dansby Swanson’s 2026 Campaign Thus Far
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 03: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Chicago Cubs runs the bases against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on August 03, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Dansby Swanson is enjoying a fairly productive 2026 season thus far, especially in the power department.
He isn’t going to hit for a lot of power, but Swanson knows how to hit a fastball if it’s left over the middle of the plate.
Over 382 at-bats, Swanson has 17 home runs, a .217 average, 72 runs scored, 63 RBI, 16 stolen bases, 15 doubles, and an OPS+ of 93.
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Chicago Cubs Announce Dansby Swanson Change Before Royals Series