Ian Happ DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ delivered two big hits in Thursday night's 10-6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Happ went 2-for-5 with a double and a home run. He also scored two runs, had three RBI, and a walk. The whole Cubs offense got going in this one after not producing much in their first two regular-season games in Tokyo, Japan. As expected, Happ was batting in the leadoff position, where he was expected to be throughout spring training. Happ's switch-hitting ability should keep him at the top of the order against right-handed and left-handed pitchers. Kyle Tucker is batting behind him, so he should see more pitches to hit and score more runs than in past seasons with the Cubs. Happ is off to a good start to the season, going 4-for-12 in his first three games. He will look to keep the momentum going throughout the weekend in Arizona.

According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happcould open the season as the leadoff hitter. Happ saw time as the leadoff man last season but eventually ceded that role to Pete Crow-Armstrong during the second half of the season. Sharma noted that manager Craig Counsel "wants to keep the pressure off" Crow-Armstrong and ensure that he continues to develop. As a result, Happ has a good opportunity to open the season in the top spot in the batting order. Sharma also noted that second baseman Nico Hoerner could also be an option, but he may not be ready for Opening Day due to an elbow injury. Last season, Happ posted a .243/.341/.441 slash line with a career-best 25 home runs and 13 stolen bases. Given his elite on-base skills, Happ could produce a high total of runs while batting in front of Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ (back) has returned to left field and will bat leadoff on Tuesday in Game 2 of the series at Citizens Bank Park against the Philadelphia Phillies and left-handed opener Tanner Banks. Happ is returning to the lineup after missing the last two games due to tightness in his lower back, but apparently he's feeling good enough to go on Tuesday. The 30-year-old switch-hitter has hit .250 (35-for-140) with seven of his 25 home runs on the year against southpaw pitchers. He's batting .284 (23-for-81) with two home runs, a double, a triple, nine RBI and two stolen bases in 19 games in the month of September, but he's also gone hitless in three of his last four games before sitting out a few games with his back injury. Happ will be a nice DFS target against a Phillies team expected to be hungover on Tuesday after celebrating winning the National League East on Monday night.