Well, the best the Cubs can do now is a two-game split.
Here’s the group that’ll try:
- Willson Contreras, C
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Ian Happ, LF
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- John Lackey, P
Jason Heyward is out of the lineup today, though that makes some sense with the lefty Blake Snell on the mound. Snell has been fairly devastating to left-handers for his career (.291 wOBA), but has been eminently hittable against righties (.342 wOBA).
In response, the Cubs have loaded the lineup with eight batters who will hit from the right side of the plate, including the catcher, Willson Contreras, who’s leading off.
Albert Almora has been particularly good against left-handers this season (169 wRC+), and has even earned a ridiculous (and that goes double for him) 17.7% walk rate in 62 plate appearances against southpaws in 2017. Hopefully, he keeps up that dominance this afternoon and the Cubs cruise into a victory.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (1:20 CT).