The Chicago Cubs have lost the first four games of this brief six-game road trip through the state of California. Maybe a few new lineup choices will help change the team’s fortune.
Here’s who’ll be out there to turn the tide against the Padres tonight:
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Jon Jay, CF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Eddie Butler, P
Ian Happ has struck out eight times during the first four games of this road trip (just 14 PAs), so he gets a breather today. And perhaps there’s no better time to take a step back than in a notoriously pitcher-friendly park and against Dinelson Lamet, San Diego’s starter who induced 11 whiffs en route to striking out eight batters in five innings against the Mets in his last outing. Jon Jay starts in his place and slots into the fifth spot of the order behind Anthony Rizzo.
Willson Contreras gets the call behind the plate, as his bat has been steadily improving in May:
Since May 9 (52 PAs), Willson Contreras is slashing .304/.346/.565.
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) May 30, 2017
As usual, we’ll have your Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (9:10 CT).