NEWSLETTER
Intros are for winners.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Javier Baez, 2B
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Ian Happ, RF
- Mike Montgomery, P
Although it won’t be much of a surprise given that we saw him briefly in Game 1, Javier Baez is returning back to the starting lineup after taking one off the elbow a couple days ago and that’s very good news for the Cubs. Assuming he plays through this whole game without any soreness, they will consider themselves lucky to have dodged a bullet when Baez couldn’t dodge a ball.
And, hey, he did smoke a liner in game 1 (99 MPH up the middle), so maybe he can keep it going tonight.
Elsewhere in the lineup, Kris Bryant leads off again (he went 2-5 in Game 1) and Albert Almora Jr. takes over the all-important three-spot in the lineup. With the lefty Rich Hill on the mound for Game 2, that makes plenty of sense. Also sense-making: Jason Heyward is getting the night off in this one, as does Ben Zobrist, which means the Cubs are going with their youthful outfield alignment, featuring Kyle Schwarber in left and Ian Happ in right. Other than that, Willson Contreras is behind the plate and that about wraps it up.
Now let’s see if the Cubs can go back out there and steal one right back. Or, you know, blow them out from the get-go. As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (7:05 CT).
