The Cubs were not able to get the bats going at the right moments yesterday and lost game one to the White Sox.
But that’s okay, because they have another shot at it today, and they have the perfect lineup for the job:
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Ian Happ, LF
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- John Lackey, P
Against the lefty Carlos Rodon, the Cubs are sending eight right-handed (or switch-hitting) batters to the plate. The only lefty Rodon will get to face all day is Anthony Rizzo … and he is hitting left-handers (161 wRC+) a lot better than righties (115 wRC+) this season.
Have fun with that!
Of course, that means that today’s starting lineup is without each of Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward, but that’s okay. While both have been hitting well lately (yesterday notwithstanding) this is the beauty of the Cubs 2017 lineup: they almost always have the R/L split advantage.
And, in reality, that’s what it’s been like for the past two years, too. Last season, for example, the Cubs used the switch-hitting abilities of Ben Zobrist and Dexter Fowler to gain the upper hand all year long. And this season, Fowler was replaced by yet another switch-hitter in Ian Happ.
Having two switch-hitters in your lineup at the same time (to go along with the lefty/righty Bryzzo Souvenir company) sure makes things hard for opposing starters. Let’s see if it works against the youngster Rodon today.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time.