After another annoying off-day, the Chicago Cubs are back at it against the Braves. Here’s how they’ll line up for the second game of the series.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ben Zobrist, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Javy Baez, SS
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Daniel Descalso, 2B
- Jon Lester, P
- Jason Heyward, CF
This lineup looks very different from Jon Lester’s first start of the year, which both came against a lefty (inherently shifting the starting personnel) and had the benefit of a designated hitter. So instead of Albert Almora leading off and playing center field, Jason Heyward is shifting over from right and batting ninth.
Ben Zobrist is taking over the right field and leading off duties, with a surging Kyle Schwarber in left.
Willson Contreras, Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez, and Kris Bryant are all right where you’d expect them to be, but the lefty Daniel Descalso is getting the start at second base. We’ve already discussed Descalso’s pretty significant reverse splits last season – he’s close to neutral for his career – but it’s worth pointing out that Julio Teheran is MUCH tougher on righties than lefties anyway, so this is the right call.
Altogether, the Cubs will have five left-handed hitters (not including Lester) in their lineup tonight, and that should set the offense up for success. The only other place they could’ve reasonably added one is Victor Caratini behind the plate, but I wouldn’t have wanted that. Willson Contreras needs rest, but he’s still the starter. I like this group and this defensive alignment a lot. I hope we see it more often.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ close to game time (6:20 CT)