Later today, the Cubs will have a chance to sweep their first series of the year. Sure, it’d be just a two-game sweep, but it’s something!
Here’s how they’ll line up.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Tommy La Stella, 3B
- Kyle Schwarber, DH
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Ian Happ, LF
The good news is that the last time the Chicago Cubs rolled with this lineup (yesterday), the team scored 10 runs. The bad news is that it’s still missing Kris Bryant.
Bryant, you’ll recall, was hit in the head with a ball on Sunday, but traveled with the team under the presumption that he’d be playing soon enough. Before yesterday’s lineup came out, Joe Maddon called it 50/50 he’d be playing, so we weren’t too surprised to seem him missing. But today? To be candid, I expected to see him in there.
Hopefully, this is all just a giant abundance of caution and Bryant will be ready to play as soon as tomorrow, but I wouldn’t blame you for becoming the tiniest bit nervous. Head stuff, man. It’s scary. And the fact that he initially travelled with the team to Cleveland, but is going to sit for both games? It just leaves me feeling, like I said, the tiniest bit nervous.
For now, the Cubs are indeed dubbing it an abundance of caution situation:
It was essentially decided yesterday that KB wouldn't play today. They're giving him another day to be cautious and will continue to monitor the situation. No official change in his status as of yet.
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) April 25, 2018
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (6:10 CT)