Addison Russell’s position switch helped trigger Cubs’ run

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Friday marks the first matchup between the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants this season. When these two teams met at Wrigley Field last August, the Cubs swept the four-game series and carried the momentum into the playoffs.

The Cubs were 58-48 entering their first meeting with the Giants after last season’s trade deadline, trailing San Francisco by half a game for the second National League wild-card berth. Despite sitting five games above .500, the Cubs ranked toward the bottom in many offensive categories until that point, including having the second-worst batting average (better only than their eventual NL championship series, the New York Mets).

Spinning wheels

Cubs through Aug. 5, 2015

MLB RankBA.23929thK pct24%LastHard-hit rate*12.925th*Percent of at-bats ending in a hard-hit ball

After a 5-4 win in the series opener, the Cubs moved rookie Addison Russell from second base to shortstop, where he played for the remainder of the season. Russell, who primarily played shortstop coming up through the minors, finished the season tied for fourth in …

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