The Cubs head to Cincinnati sporting a familiar lineup in the opener.
Chicago Cubs Lineup vs. Cincinnati Reds (Dan Straily):
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Jason Heyward, CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, LF
- Miguel Montero, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Chris Coghlan, RF
- Jake Arrieta, P
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That’s the exact same lineup as yesterday’s finale against the Marlins. Here’s hoping this groups has better fortune today.
With Albert Almora out of the lineup again, I can’t help but wonder if we’re seeing the Cubs readying themselves for when he heads back to AAA Iowa. Tommy La Stella starts a rehab assignment today with Iowa, and, when he’s ready to return, there’s not really an obvious candidate to head down – so it could be Almora. Then again, it’s also possible that he’s dealing with a minor, non-DL-able issue, but we haven’t been given any reason to believe that.
So, the double then-again is that maybe the Cubs really just want to make sure and get Willson Contreras’s bat in there every day, and simultaneously don’t want to lose Chris Coghlan’s bat against righties. In that instance, this is the only way to do it on days when Contreras is not catching. And I do love that Contreras bat.
Also, I seem to recall reading that Javy Baez was a little dinged up after his dive into the stands, so maybe he’s getting a little extra rest, too, which shifts things around.
We’ll have a full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time.
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