NEWSLETTER
The Cubs could lose their sole possession of first place tonight, so let’s hope this lineup was the right choice.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:Â
- Daniel Murphy, 2B
- Kris Bryant, LF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Javy Baez, SS
- Tommy La Stella, 3B
- Victor Caratini, C
- Jose Quintana, P
- Ian Happ, CF
If you can’t tell just by looking at it, that is one seriously left-handed lineup. Kris Bryant and Javier Baez are the guys hitting from the right side of the plate (if exclude the pitcher, Jose Quintana), which is pretty fascinating considering the absence of both Jason Heyward (disabled list) and Kyle Schwarber (back).
That means that Ben Zobrist is in right field, Tommy La Stella covers for Kris Bryant at third, and Victor Caratini is catching behind the plate. Why are the Cubs going so left-handed? Well, Jhoulys Chacin’s splits hold the answers.
Lefties: .268/.360/.426 (.341 wOBA)
Righties: .185/.255/.307 (.247 wOBA)
Although the gap narrows when you zoom out to include all of Chacin’s career, he’s always carried very significant splits in this mold. And to that end, it’s a real shame that neither Schwarber nor Heyward are available tonight.
Last time the Cubs faced Chacin, Daniel Murphy started things off with a single in the first, a homer in the 4th, and another single in the 5th. Here’s hoping he’s got another big game ahead of him tonight.
