Chicago Cubs Lineup: Heyward Gets the Day Off, Contreras Bats Cleanup
Chicago Cubs lineup coming out before 9am CT? Neat.
Chicago Cubs Lineup vs. Cincinnati Reds (Cody Reed):
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Matt Szczur, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Kyle Hendricks, P
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
No, there aren’t any pitchers in left field, but this is quite a different looking lineup, isn’t it? Most notably, Jason Heyward gets the day off with Ben Zobrist moving out to right field. That alignment then allows Maddon to keep last night’s Grand Slammer, Javy Baez, in the lineup at second base, with Matt Szczur in left field and Albert Almora in center.
The opposing starter, Cody Reed, is a lefty that does not like to face righties, so the overall composition of this lineup – including rookie (and righty) Willson Contreras batting cleanup – makes a lot of sense. Interestingly, Kyle Hendricks will bat eighth – with Albert Almora behind him – for the second straight start this season. And that decision likely spawns in equal parts from the desire to pinch hit for Hendricks early (if needed) and to ease Almora into the lineup the way Addison Russell was protected last year.
Maybe there will be even more craziness in this one than last night! And the game before! Probably not. But maybe!
We’ll have a full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time.
