Chicago Cubs Lineup: Baez Back in, Bryant Out to Left
The Cubs’ six-game winning streak came to an end last night, but as one streak ends, another begins.
Jon Lester and David Ross will be the battery that looks to begin the next winning streak tonight, and this is the lineup that will support them against the Dodgers.
Chicago Cubs Lineup v. Los Angeles Dodgers (Mike Bolsinger):
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Kris Bryant, LF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Javy Baez, 3B
- David Ross, C
- Jon Lester P
The top five in the lineup has remained very stable over the past several weeks, especially for a Joe Maddon lineup. I guess the adage fits, though: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Addison Russell is up a couple spots in the lineup – hitting sixth tonight – which seems to be his likely spot when Jorge Soler isn’t in the game.
And speaking of Soler, Kris Bryant covers the duties in left field tonight, with Javy Baez playing third base. This is the “defensively inclined” lineup that Maddon trots out there from time to time – and I’m definitely keeping David Ross in mind when I say that.
Although, it’s not as though he’s a defense-only cat. Just because he’s not an All-Star (yet) doesn’t mean Ross isn’t raking: dude is still hitting .260/.360/.479, and has already been worth 1.2 WAR in 2016 (just about the same amount he’s been worth for the three years prior combined). There’s not much to say anymore. He’s simply having a great year.
Full Pre-Gamin’ closer to tonight’s game time.
