For the first time since 2008, both teams batted their starting pitcher in the eighth spot Friday when the Colorado Rockies hosted the Chicago Cubs in their home opener. Cubs lefty Travis Wood batted ahead of second baseman and No. 9 hitter Arismendy Alcantara and Rockies lefty Tyler Matzek batted ahead of second baseman D.J. LeMahieu. Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa used to bat his pitcher in the eighth spot quite often and several managers occasionally followed suit. Cubs manager Joe Maddon did it a several times in interleague games while with the Tampa Bay Rays and batted his starting pitcher in both of the Cubs' games against the Cardinals to start the season. More...