Chicago Cubs fans celebrate Marcus Stroman naming himself team’s Opening Day starter: "Bring that WBC energy home to Wrigley"

While the Chicago Cubs have not announced anything publicly, Marcus Stroman tweeted appreciation to the team and fans for being named opening Day starter.

It wouldn't be an unexpected development, as Stroman is the team's staff ace. It would stand to reason that he would take the mound at Wrigley Field as the Cubs host one of their main National League Central Division rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers, on March 30.

The Chicago Cubs' recent traditional opening day starter, Kyle Hendricks, is still recovering from a capsular tear in his right shoulder. Until he returns, and likely even after, Stroman is the team's No. 1 starter. In his first season with the Cubs after signing as a free agent from the New York Mets, he went just 6-7, but posted a 3.50 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 25 starts.

In his eight-year major league career, Stroman has a 67-67 record, 3.63 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. He began his time in the big leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014.

Stroman has been largely absent from the Chicago Cubs' spring training camp as he pitched for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. He pitched in two games for Puerto Rico, logging an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 0.89 in nine innings, helping his team advance to the WBC quarterfinals.

After earning MVP honors for leading Team USA to the 2017 WBC championship, he switched to play for Puerto Rico in this year's tournament in honor of his mother, who is a native of the Caribbean nation.

And, yes, it is still cold in Wrigleyville in March. Chicago is a long ways from Miami, where Stroman threw his final pitch for Puerto Rico.

Stroman hopes to bring WBC energy to Chicago Cubs

Marcus Stroman of Team Puerto Rico delivers a pitch against Team Mexico.

Stroman spoke highly of playing in his second World Baseball Classic and hopes to bring that spirit and energy to Wrigley Field with the Chicago Cubs this season. He told MLB.com:

"I think it’s a great experience for everyone to get, even if they didn’t necessarily have success. It’s just being around the vibe, the environment. Kind of prepares you for October baseball and kind of is like, 'wow,' you have that buzz when people are screaming and the energy is very loud.

"It’s hard to kind of replicate, necessarily. I mean Wrigley is probably the best case to replicate in the league, as far as getting the vibe and the buzz each and every game. I don’t think many places do it like Wrigley, so I’m truly thankful and fortunate from that."