NEWSLETTER
If the Cubs beat the Padres tonight at Wrigley Field, they’ll have secured their second straight series win. That would be swell.
Here’s the group that’ll try:
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Willson Contreras, LF
- Ian Happ, CF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Miguel Montero, C
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Mike Montgomery, P
- Jon Jay RF
Why hello there, outfielder Willson Contreras!
As we discussed earlier, a great number of Cubs players (Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward, Addison Russell, and Kyle Schwarber, among others) are currently dealing with injuries – which means we get a catcher in left field tonight against the Padres!
Of course, Contreras is a converted outfielder, has had some (non-starting) appearances in the outfield earlier this year (2.0 innings), and played in over 180 outfield innings last season, so … maybe it’s not all that crazy.
Even still, Albert Almora is available off the bench and could’ve started in his place (especially considering the early game tomorrow). Shrug. Joe Maddon doing Joe Maddon stuff shouldn’t really surprise us anymore.
Beyond that, Bryzzo is back together at the top of the order, after being separated by a player or two for over a week. Hopefully, Rizzo keeps up his on-base streak in the leadoff role and Bryant turns the slugging back up to 11.
With Zobrist still out and Happ in center field, it’s Javy and Russell up the middle tonight, with Mike Montgomery on the mound and Miguel Montero behind the plate. Jason Heyward (probably) and Tommy La Stella (definitely) should be available off the bench, but I’m not sure about Kyle Schwarber. His X-rays were negative, but he may still be healing up.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (7:05 CT)
