One of the biggest stories to come out of Cubs camp in Arizona this spring was David Ross’ decision to move Kris Bryant into the leadoff spot every day for this team.

Ross liked Bryant’s on-base skills and patience at the plate and felt like the former NL MVP could set a good tone for this lineup from the get-go.

It didn’t take long for Bryant to prove that right.

In the first Cubs at-bat of the 2020 regular season Friday night, Bryant battled Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff to the tune of a 10-pitch at-bat. Bryant ultimately flied out, but it helped provide a spark for the rest of his team as they went on to win 3-0.

“KB set the tone tonight and everybody was on it from KB’s first at-bat,” Ross said after the game. “Just a tone-setter and that’s why he’s up there. He does that day in and day out. He’s gonna be that guy for us and I couldn’t be happier with those at-bats and the energy.”

In his next at-bat, Bryant saw 8 pitches before ultimately grounding out.

He finished the game 0-for-4, but saw 28 pitches and helped ensure Woodruff was only able to throw 5 innings in the contest. If not for a couple of early double plays, the Cubs actually may have gotten into the Brewers bullpen even earlier.

“Last night was nice to see,” Ross said before Saturday’s game. “…Our guys were grinding at-bats.”