Today, the Chicago Cubs can complete their first sweep of the year with a win over the Brewers. Here’s how they’ll line up:
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Tyler Chatwood, P
With Ben Zobrist in the game, Javy Baez at shortstop, and Addison Russell on the bench yesterday, the Cubs lineup looked familiar, but not quite itself. Today’s group, however, represents the closest thing to the usual as we’ve come to expect.
That means Albert Almora up top, Javy Baez batting and playing second, Kyle Schwarber in left, and Willson Contreras behind the plate.
And some of that is especially notable today because the Brewers starter, Zach Davies, is a right-hander *without* reverse splits. Almora has been starting a lot lately, but so many of those starts have been against lefties or reverse-split righties (i.e. the guys against whom he should have the most success).
Zach Davies
Against Lefties: .323 wOBA
Against Righties: .310 wOBA
When it wasn’t one of those types (or someone wasn’t injured), we’ve seen Ian Happ and Ben Zobrist take the leadoff role. So, yeah, a start up top against a regular old righty, then, marks a bit of an official shift from the start of the season. Albert Almora appears to be the Cubs leadoff hitter – at least, right now*.
Let’s see if Almora can get it done and continue to his 11-game hit streak. As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (1:20 CT).
* I should point out that Davies has had a bit of a reverse split this season, but that’s in just 28.1 IP. For his career (417.0 IP), he’s a regular split guy. The point remains, this is a notable start for Almora.