The Chicago Cubs FINALLY won a game yesterday, squeaking out a comeback win against the St. Louis Cardinals. Today, they try to win the series.
Here’s the group that tries to make it happen:
- Ian Happ, CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Javy Baez, SS
- Jon Lester, P
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
Well, then. There’s not much further for Kyle Schwarber to fall in the order.
I joke, of course, not only because literally, but also because Schwarber’s spot in the lineup isn’t some kind of punishment. In fact, it’s only barely even about maximizing offensive performance at this point. Instead, it’s mostly about just trying to get Schwarber right. Maybe being all the way at the bottom really clears his head. I don’t know. I’m just an observer at this point.
Javy Baez draws the start at shortstop in this one, and Willson Contreras is behind the plate, as usual, for Jon Lester.
Mike Leake is a modestly traditional split guy (lefties have hit him just a little bit better in his career than righties – more so this year), so hopefully the five lefties (six, if you count Lester!) can do some damage. Well, I mean, I guess I hope the righties do damage, too. I guess what I’m saying here is every Cub do some damage.
As usual, we’ll have your Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (1:20 CT). In the meantime, get excited by Peter Gammons saying he’s heard Bryce Harper wants to be a Cub.