The Cubs have just six games against the Brewers the rest of the season and one of them is later today. Here’s how the Cubs will line up.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Daniel Murphy, 2B
- Javy Baez, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Kris Bryant, RF
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Victor Caratini, C
- Cole Hamels, P
- Ian Happ, CF
It was always going to be difficult to understand how the Cubs would work Addison Russell back into the mix with Daniel Murphy and Kris Bryant back in town, but here’s one way they can go about it without putting any of their infielders on the bench. With Russell at short, Daniel Murphy sticks at second base and Javy Baez moves to third. Second base may be a more difficult defensive position overall, but Murphy has so much less positional flexibility than Baez, so it’s a fairly justifiable swap. Plus, with the lefty Cole Hamels on the mound, the Brewers should have more righties at the plate who’ll pull the ball to the left side of the infield.
With Baez at third, Bryant moves out to right field, where we run into some more movement. With Jason Heyward on the DL, Bryant covers right while Ian Happ takes center. Kyle Schwarber is out in left, then, which means Albert Almora is on the bench with David Bote, Ben Zobrist, and Willson Contreras. Which is almost laughably nuts. Even with one of the “starters” on the disabled list, the Cubs have a legitimately good lineup PLUS four legit starting-capable players on the bench.
Victor Caratini is taking the catching duties behind the plate once again, and the pitcher, Cole Hamels, bats eighth. As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ closer to game time (1:10 CT).