The Chicago Cubs are kicking off their two-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon at Wrigley Field.
Hopefully, these Cubs can give their fans a reason for some fireworks:
- Jon Jay, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Ian Happ, CF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jon Lester, P
With the exception of Kyle Schwarber, who is still in Triple-A Iowa and did indeed go on that road trip with the I-Cubs, this Cubs lineup looks as close to “normal” as it has in a really long time. Ben Zobrist is back, Jason Heyward just returned, and Addison Russell is manning shortstop.
In fact, if and when Schwarber returns to the team and left field, I think this is the strongest on-paper Cubs lineup they can pull together this season. Hopefully, with Jon Lester on the mound, they put together a nice Fourth of July victory against the Rays.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (17:76).