The Cubs are riding a three-game winning streak and have a chance to reach ten games above .500 for the first time all season.
Here’s the group that’ll try:
- Jon Jay, CF
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Ben Zobrist, 2BIan Happ, 2B*- Alex Avila, C
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Javy Baez, SS
- John Lackey, P
*According to Carrie Muskat, Ben Zobrist has been scratched due to travel issues. Ian Happ will now play second base and bat fifth.
It feels strange to call this group the “usual suspects,” given that there’s no Willson Contreras or Addison Russell, and Jon Jay is leading off and playing center field, but that’s where this Cubs’ season is at right now. Fortunately, this group has done quite well for the Cubs in the second half of the season and will look to continue that effort tonight.
With the righty Homer Bailey on the mound, the Cubs are sending five natural lefties and a switch-hitter to the plate, while Kris Bryant, Javy Baez, and John Lackey fill out the right-handed check box.
Oh, and the last time this team faced Bailey, they tagged him for six runs over 5.2 innings. Anthony Rizzo (2-4) did a lot of damage in that one with a double and a homer off Bailey early.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (6:10 CT).