The Cubs lost the first game today and it wasn’t particularly close. Hopefully, Cole Hamels and company will have more luck tonight (7:45 CT). Here’s the lineup for game 2.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- David Bote, SS (UPDATE, this is actually Javy)
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Javy Baez, 2B (UPDATE, this is actually Bote)
- Victor Caratini, C
- Cole Hamels, P
- Ian Happ, RF
I know, in general, my job in these lineup posts is to interpret some of the more confusing decisions and try to provide an context for why things are the way that they are … but I’m having a little difficulty explaining this one. No, I’m not still upset that the Cubs split up their best players between two lineups (no Willson Contreras* or Daniel Murphy in this one, for example). Well, I am, but I’m too distracted by David Bote at shortstop with Javy Baez at second to care.
Bote is a capable shortstop in a pinch, but he’s a far better second baseman and Baez is the clearly superior shortstop, so … what gives? I really don’t know. For once it wasn’t rhetorical. And to be sure, things gets even more confusing when you consider that the Cubs are starting Cole Hamels, a lefty, who should have more righties up against him … who should pull the ball to the left side of the infield more than the right side where the “better defender” is. I’m sure Joe Maddon has his reasons, but I’m struggling to find them.
UPDATE: It was all apparently a typo on the Cubs’ lineup.
Albert Almora is leading off, Kyle Schwarber’s back in there in left, Victor Caratini is taking his turn behind the plate, and Ian Happ is in right.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (7:45 CT).
*I realize that Contreras can only catch one of these games, but if it were up to me, I’d have started Contreras with all the regular “starters” in game two with Hamels on the mound and without Max Scherzer in the game. I suppose the early game tomorrow makes things tricky, but this whole day has been full of confusing decisions.