Thanks to the lefty on the mound tonight for the Marlins, and to a reportedly sore ankle for Jorge Soler (nooo! be minor! I’ll update when there’s more info), the Chicago Cubs’ lineup tonight looks a little crazy:
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Kris Bryant, LF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Junior Lake, RF
- Starlin Castro, SS
- Addison Russell, 2B
- David Ross, C
- Kyle Hendricks, P
- Jonathan Herrera, 3B
It really stinks that Soler is missing a game when the Cubs are finally facing a lefty starter – seems like it’s been forever – and it also makes for an interesting outfield alignment. Hopefully Fowler is feeling particularly fresh, as Bryant is very green in left field, Lake isn’t all that experience in right field, and the dimensions at Marlins Park make for a spacious outfield.
In theory, Herrera upgrades the infield defense slightly (with all due apologies to Bryant, who has been serviceable at third), assuming he’s not too rusty.
All the shuffling also moves Russell out of his familiar 9-hole, and further up in the order. While that’s not likely to be permanent, it would be nice to see him wreck a few pitches there tonight.
Oh, and Junior Lake: cleanup hitter.