NEWSLETTER
Well, we’ll have to get into it as soon as the quotes and stories inevitably trickle out, but there is no Kris Bryant in the lineup again.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Tommy La Stella, 3B
- Victor Caratini, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Kyle Hendricks, P
As you can see there are changes everywhere. Positionally, Tommy La Stella is once again filling in for Kris Bryant at third base and Victor Caratini is giving Willson Contreras a break behind the plate.
As for the order, Albert Almora continues to get his chance to lead off. And somehow, it comes against YET ANOTHER one of these reverse split righties, Chase Anderson:
Career Splits:
Versus Lefties: .297 wOBA
Versus Righties: .346 wOBA
But while I’m excited for Almora to get in some hacks against more good-matchup righties (for him), I can’t help but think that even this is bad news for Bryant. In other words, it’s not as though getting the lefty, La Stella, a start tonight just had to be done because of the matchup. If anything, it’s the opposite. If Bryant was ready, he’d be in there. Sigh. I hope he’s back soon.
Meanwhile, to preserve some lefty/right action, Joe Maddon has moved up Kyle Schwarber into the two-hole, which means Javy Baez will now bat third. This lineup still looks strong, but it’s so strange to see it without Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras, Ben Zobrist, or Ian Happ.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (7:05 CT).
