Whew. That game sure was something, wasn’t it?
Here’s to hoping they’re not all like that in the second half – my heart can’t handle it. Here’s the lineup for this evening’s sequel:
- Jon Jay, DH
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Ian Happ, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
Two games and two different lead-off men for Joe Maddon’s team, as Jon Jay (slashing .340/.450/.545 in 40 PA against left-handed starters) gets the nod on Saturday as the team’s designated hitter. Addison Russell, who provided the late-game heroics with solo homer in the ninth moves up to sixth in the order after hitting ninth on Friday.
Albert Almora Jr. joins Jay as the other new face in the lineup, and he’ll bat ninth and play center field. Facing lefty Wade Miley seems like an ideal place to get the young outfielder some at-bats. Almora is slashing .352/.462/.537 with a 163 wRC+ in 65 PA against lefties this season.
Right-handed batters have hit Miley to the tune of .306/.393/.469 slash and a .373 wOBA, but lefties (of which there are only three in the order tonight) are hitting just .184 with a .262 wOBA.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (6:05 CT).