Chicago Cubs Lineup: Russell Sits, Szczur Starts, Weather Looms
The Cubs will try to avoid the rare home sweep today, assuming they can get the game off at all. Storms threaten.
Chicago Cubs Lineup vs. St. Louis Cardinals (Michael Wacha):
- Chris Coghlan, LF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Miguel Montero, C
- Javy Baez, SS
- Matt Szczur, CF
- Jake Arrieta, P
That’s become a familiar top of the order in Dexter Fowler’s absence, though it’ll be Matt Szczur, rather than Albert Almora, stepping into center field today. Szczur is quietly hitting like a beast this year, so it’s nice to see him still get the occasional start.
Javy Baez starts at shortstop in this one, spelling Addison Russell, who has actually been playing very well lately. Given that he’s got an extreme (and weird) reverse split, and Cardinals starter Michael Wacha also has a career extreme (and weird) reverse split, it kinda seems like that would have been a dream matchup for Russell. Not that I’m complaining about Baez, of course, nor am I complaining about getting rest for Russell.
Miguel Montero gets a start behind the plate, as you should expect in virtually all Jake Arrieta starts going forward.
We’ll have a full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time.
