The Chicago Cubs play game two against the Reds tonight at Wrigley Field, though they’ll do it with a slightly different look.
Here’s tonight’s Cubs lineup:
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ian Happ, CF
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Miguel Montero, C
- Kyle Hendricks, P
- Jon Jay, RF
First thing’s first, Kris Bryant is back at third base after playing in the outfield for four straight games (including three starts). That means that Jeimer Candelario is back on the bench and Jon Jay is covering right field.
Candelario’s friend and fellow top prospect Ian Happ, however, is back out there in center field, because, frankly, the Cubs are loving his bat in the lineup (.400/.538/.1100). You’ll note that while Happ, is technically a converted outfielder, he was never going to be a center fielder, so his continued play there is likely quite the challenge (even in a smaller park like Wrigley). Of course, he can’t play his (now) natural position, second base, because Ben Zobrist is back in the lineup!
Zobrist hasn’t appeared in a game since pinch hitting on Saturday, and has started in one since last Friday. But, according to the lineup, he must be ready to go, because he’s back out there at his usual spot, second base. Let’s see if he, like some of the other Cubs’ hitters yesterday, can begin to turn his season around.
Miguel Montero is catching, Kyle Schwarber is leading off, and Kyle Hendricks is on the mound. Other than that, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (7:05 CT).