The Cubs won a fun one last night, and if they win again tonight, they’ll take their third series from the Brewers this year, winning nine of their first ten games. Wouldn’t that be something?
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora, CF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, LF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Tyler Chatwood, P
Chase Anderson is starting for the Brewers tonight, and despite being a righty, he’s actually been tougher on lefties this season (.309 wOBA) than righties (.351 wOBA) and the same is true for his career (very similar gaps between them too).
So perhaps that’s why Kyle Schwarber, currently struggling through an 0-14 streak (3BBs, 6Ks), is getting the night off in favor of the switch-hitting Ben Zobrist in left.
Throughout the rest of the outfield, you’ll find Albert Almora in center and leading off, followed by the Cubs new two-hole hitter, Jason Heyward. Heyward has been particularly locked-in lately and I’m very much okay with leaving him right where he is in the lineup – not only for superstitious reasons, but because, frankly, he’s earned it.
The other notable piece to today’s lineup is that Willson Contreras is back behind the plate for Tyler Chatwood after Chris Gimenez caught him in each of the last two games. Given that Chatwood walked seven batters last time out, I’m not sure Gimenez had much of an impact (via pitch framing, veteran advice, or anything else). Hopefully, Chatwood’s got it tonight, though, because a win would be huge.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (7:10 CT).