NEWSLETTER
Well, then.
As my eyes scrolled down the Cubs lineup for the first time this morning, I was pretty surprised by what I saw … twice.
Take a look at the Cubs group for Game 3 against the Rockies, then we’ll discuss:
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Eddie Butler, P
After a brief hiatus at the bottom of the order, Kyle Schwarber is leading off for the Chicago Cubs once again. He is still not hitting as well as he can/will be, but he does have an 86 wRC+ over his past 55 plate appearances, as opposed to the 77 wRC+ in the 174 plate appearances before that. Progress is progress, and you’ll take it in any form.
Plus, the Rockies’ starter Jeff Hoffman is a young (albeit talented) pitcher who throws from the right side. Perhaps this is a good matchup for Schwarber, then.
More notably (which is hard to believe, but is certainly true), Addison Russell makes his return to the lineup. Russell hasn’t appeared in a game since June 6, amidst allegations of domestic abuse, so this is pretty interesting. I wonder how the Wrigley fans will receive him.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (1:20 CT).
