The Cubs have just three regular season games left in 2017, so the goal is to stay healthy for the remainder of the season.
Thus, not all of the regulars have returned:
- Jon Jay, CF
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Tommy La Stella, 2B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Ian Happ, 3B
- Alex Avila, 1B
- Mike Freeman, SS
- Jose Quintana, P
Notably, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Addison Russell, and Jason Heyward are getting another day off today. In their places we have Ian Happ playing third base (I believe, for the first time), Alex Avila covering first, Tommy La Stella at second, Mike Freeman at short, and Ben Zobrist out in right.
As for the regulars in their normal spots, you’ll find Willson Contreras returns to the cleanup role/behind the plate and Jon Jay (sorta a starter?) is back out in center field and leading off. I’m not sure what to call Kyle Schwarber at this point, but he’s out there in his usual spot in left field too.
Jose Quintana is getting his final start of the season before his first ever playoff series, so let’s hope it’s a good one. Remember, he’s been one of the Cubs’ strongest pitchers lately, and if he makes yet another solid start this afternoon, he could start one of the first two games in the NLDS (maybe he should either way).
As usual, we’ll have your Series Preview soon and your Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (1:20 CT).