After launching his second homer of the season as a pinch hitter last night, Ian Happ gets another crack at leading off for the Chicago Cubs.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:Â
- Ian Happ, CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Ben Zobrist, 1B
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Victor Caratini, C
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Kyle Hendricks, P
Other notable changes include Willson Contreras getting just his second day off of the season. And with Victor Caratini behind the plate, Ben Zobrist is left to cover first for Anthony Rizzo (who’s not eligible to return from the DL (back) until Monday).
Elsewhere, Kyle Schwarber returns to the lineup and plays left field. And after smashing four homers in the past two days, Javy Baez stays where he is apparently very comfortable.
The Pirates’ starter, Trevor Williams, has pretty significant lefty/righty splits for his career, allowing a .340 wOBA against southpaws and just a .300 wOBA against righties. With three switch-hitters (Happ, Zobrist, and Caratini) plus two lefties (Heyward, Schwarber) in the lineup tonight, the Cubs should have the advantage for most of the game.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (1:20 CT).