NEWSLETTER
The Cubs kicked things off with a win over the Brewers yesterday (stopping their winning streak at eight in the process), and return to Wrigley Field for an afternoon tilt today. Sadly, Kris Bryant won’t be joining in the fun.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- David Bote, 3B
- Ian Happ, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Yu Darvish, P
As Brett discussed earlier today, to the extent Bryant is physically fine but just needs to get over the mental hump of stepping back up to the plate, it would have been an ideal setting today: The Brewers’ starter, Brent Suter, is a left-hander (against whom, righties see the ball much better), who throws *very* softly (86.1 MPH career four-seamer velo), with excellent command (6.0% career walk rate). Good weather. At home. It would have made sense.
But it isn’t happening, and we don’t know the precise details on why or what comes next. Again: our concern is primarily for Bryant’s long-term health here, so no one is complaining. We just like seeing him healthy and out there, and are eager for that to be a thing again.
At this point, given that Bryant hasn’t played since last weekend, Ben Zobrist is eligible to come off the disabled list tomorrow, and the 7-day concussion DL exists, I wouldn’t be surprised to him sent to the disabled list tomorrow until everything is sorted out. I suppose it could depend if he pinch hits today, but at this point, that would be a surprise.
As for the rest of the lineup, there aren’t too many surprises. With a lefty on the mound, David Bote is filling in for Bryant at third base, and Kyle Schwarber takes a seat in favor of the switch-hitting Ian Happ. Meanwhile, Javy Baez and Albert Almora are licking their lips, just waiting to get a chance at this soft-tossing lefty, and everyone else is in their usual spots.
So stay tuned for more on Bryant and, as usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (1:20 CT).
