The Cubs head to Cincinnati to try to continue their winning ways with a limited roster and a short bench.
Here’s the group that’ll go for it tonight:
- Jon Jay, RF
- Ian Happ, 2B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Victor Caratini, C
- Javy Baez, 3B
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Mike Montgomery, P
Kris Bryant is still out, and the group going today is mostly the same as yesterday, albeit with plenty of positional shuffling.
Victor Caratini makes his big league starting debut, and hopefully he and Mike Montgomery – who has been on a roll – can work well together.
And with Caratini behind the plate, Willson Contreras heads out to left field to keep his bat in the lineup. I love the versatility, but it always makes me a little nervous when both catchers – the only two on the roster – start the game in the lineup together. Probably a little irrational, but it’s usually the safest bet to hold one of them back.
Javy Baez (who may very well be the emergency catcher at this point) picks up the start at third base, with Jeimer Candelario possibly still hurting from taking a pitch off the knee yesterday. Jon Jay leads off once again.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (6:10 CT).