Well, you can’t say this isn’t an exciting season … I guess. Here’s the Cubs lineup for game 162 – a game they must win if they want to win the NL Central for the third season in a row.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Daniel Murphy, 2B
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Javy Baez, SS
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Jason Heyward, CF
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Mike Montgomery, P
This lineup was a fairly predictable one, as Joe Maddon has decided to go out – win or lose – with his best. And excitingly, that includes Kyle Schwarber, who’s missed the last couple games presumably because his back was acting up. I hope very much he’s feeling 100% this afternoon, because the Cubs need him big-time.
With that said, today’s right-handed starter, Jack Flaherty, has actually been tougher on lefties (.265 wOBA) than his fellow righties (.289 wOBA) this season. Of course, the lefty batters have splits of their own, but clearly, today could be a challenge offensively. Look to Murphy, Zobrist, Rizzo, and Schwarber for the offense.
And since I’m sitting in a car at a gas station, about 10 minutes from home, we’ll leave it there for now. Look for more, as usual, in the full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (2:20 CT). Let’s go, Cubs. It’s now or never.