Today, the Chicago Cubs kick off a new series against the Pirates, who are bringing a talented trio of young arms for the set. Today’s hurler is Gerrit Cole, who always seems to give the Cubs fits.
Here’s the lineup that’ll face Cole:
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, CF
- Miguel Montero, C
- Kyle Hendricks, P
- Javy Baez, 2B
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It’s the Javy Rotation we are seeing so often now, with Ben Zobrist kicking out to right field to accommodate Javy Baez at second base, and Jason Heyward sliding over to center field. It’s not perfect from a defensive standpoint, but it does allow the Cubs to keep Zobrist’s bat in the lineup, while also getting Baez’s glove in there at second base with a groundballer like Kyle Hendricks on the mound.
Cole has a slight split for his career, with a little more effectiveness against righties. But that split BLEW UP last year, when righties scuffled to a .248/.312/.340 line, while lefties teed off at .321/.381/.488. Hence, I’d think, the Cubs’ efforts to keep Heyward in there, and to have Miguel Montero catching this one. The Cubs could have had one more in there by leaving Zobrist at second base, but, again, that Javy defense tho.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to the 1:20pm CT game time.
In the meantime, why not check out the robust set of morning Bullets that just went up? Or perhaps poke around a huge sale on Cubs gear at Fanatics? It’s Friday! Treatyoself!