The Chicago Cubs’ lineup is set for a significant change next season.
They’ll play five of their first six games at Wrigley Field, with the rest at Target Field in suburban Chicago.
And while they’ve been playing at home for years, this season will mark the first time the Cubs will play in Chicago.
The Cubs will make the playoffs for the first and only time in eight years.
In that span, the team has played in 10 straight postseasons and four straight World Series.
Here’s what you need to know about the team’s plans for 2018: What the Cubs’ next step will be for the 2018 season?
The Cubs are likely headed for a big year.
Here are some key players to keep an eye on.
• First baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has yet to hit a home run this season, is set to hit .285 with 23 home runs and 103 RBIs.
• The Cubs have one of the deepest infields in baseball, with five players who could contribute offensively.
They have four outfielders who could have a huge impact at the plate, with Kyle Schwarber, Addison Russell, Addin Rosario and Carlos Marmol.
• Second baseman Addison Scott has been the most consistent player for the team, with 21 home runs, 97 RBIs and a .299 batting average.
The 27-year-old has been a steady presence for the club for years.
• Veteran left fielder Miguel Montero will make his first start of the season for the Chicago Cubs.
Monteros batting average is .295, but he has a .333 OBP.
• There are still a few players to be added to the Cubs lineup.
First baseman Kyle Schwarberg is a free agent and could be traded, with outfielder Addison Rusin a candidate.
In addition, there is the possibility of the Cubs adding a left-handed hitting catcher to the fold.
The team has struggled with starting catchers in the past, but Monteras return is a major boost to the lineup.
• Right-hander Kyle Hendricks is one of two players in the big leagues who could return to the starting lineup after missing a large portion of the 2017 season.
Hendricks has a 2.45 ERA in 14 starts.
The 25-year, 100-loss veteran also has a 3.25 ERA in 11 starts with Chicago.
• Cubs starter Jake Arrieta is scheduled to be back on the mound for his first regular-season start in three years after missing the last two with a strained oblique.
The 24-year old was expected to be a key piece for the bullpen last season, but injuries forced him to miss time.
Arrieta had Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season.
• With two big-name free agents, the Cubs are looking to bolster the starting rotation with a big addition.
The addition of Trevor Bauer could give the Cubs a powerful duo in left and right.
Bauer, 28, has thrown out 42.5 percent of runners attempting to steal his pitches this season.
He has a 1.73 ERA and has been stellar at home this season in his first year with the Cubs.
Bauer could help the Cubs add another piece to the rotation.
The right-hander has pitched in three straight starts this season and has a 5.25 earned run average.
Bauer was also a free-agent acquisition in 2016.
Bauer’s departure would create a major hole in the rotation, but the Cubs could be looking to find a new ace if they do make a move.
• On the mound, there are three candidates for the final starting job in 2018.
First, it will be lefty David Price, who threw a scoreless inning in his only start this season last month against the Oakland Athletics.
Price threw a season-high nine innings against the Tigers.
The 29-year year old has been one of baseball’s best lefties for years and could potentially win a spot in the starting staff.
Price is scheduled for a return this week to face the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves have been known to experiment with starting pitchers in the postseason, but they’re likely to keep their ace at the helm.
The other two candidates are right-handed reliever Michael Wacha, who had a solid outing against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
The 34-year former closer has pitched only seven innings in his past two starts.
Wacha has a 4.17 ERA and is 3-1 with a 1 .867 ERA in nine career starts against Atlanta.
Wach, 29, has been in the bullpen for four seasons and has spent most of his career in the minors.
The 28-year veteran has pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers.
He was a free bonus to the Oakland A’s last year.
• Another potential candidate is right-handers Luis Severino and Luis Avilan.
The left-hander pitched two scoreless innings in the first game of the series against the Cleveland Indians on Monday and was expected for the start of his Major League debut.