Cubs Lineup: Heyward and Lackey Back to St. Louis, as Are Cubs Regulars

Today, the Chicago Cubs make their way to St. Louis in a rematch of the 2015 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cubs took that series, three games to one, and knocked the Cardinals out of the playoffs. St. Louis has a fairly different look this year, though, as two of their key contributors – John Lackey and Jason Heyward – made their way to the north side over the offseason.

Incidentally, both are starting today, too. Check it out:

1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Jason Heyward, RF
3. Ben Zobrist, 2B
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Kris Bryant, 3B
6. Miguel Montero, C
7. Jorge Soler, LF
8. Addison Russell, SS
9. John Lackey, P

Lackey is making his first start back in St. Louis since coming to the Cubs, and – as I said in the Series Review – he may do quite well. Across 121.1 IP at Busch Stadium last year, Lackey had a 1.93 ERA (3.03 FIP). That doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but it could indicate that his pitching style blends nicely with the dimensions and characteristics of Busch Stadium.

The rest of the lineup is the regular crew, with Javy Baez sitting today. Hopefully the bats are ready to start clicking again today against Mike Leake.

Your full Pre-Gamin’ will come a little closer to game time.