The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are playing a late one tonight (first pitch is 9:10 if you dig CST), but it should be a good one with Jon Lester squaring off against Clayton Kershaw at Dodger Stadium.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:Â
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, RF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Javy Baez, SS
- Willson Contreras, C
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Addison Russell, 2B
- Jon Lester, P
- David Bote, 3B
Although the lineup looks fairly normal tonight, there has been several defensive changes. Most notably, with a lefty on the mound – Kershaw – neither Jason Heyward nor Carlos Gonzalez are in the lineup tonight. Thus, Albert Almora Jr. steps into center field and it’ll be Kris Bryant out there in right.
Replacing Bryant at third base is David Bote, which leaves second base open for Addison Russell. Altogether then, the Cubs have six righties and two lefties (Kyle Schwarber and Anthony Rizzo) in the lineup tonight, not including the starter, Lester. Righties haven’t hit Kershaw particularly well this season, but they have had better luck than lefties, that’s for sure.
NOTE: The Cubs have three lefties and a switch hitter on the bench tonight: Heyward, Gonzalez, Daniel Descalso, and Victor Caratini.
It’ll be a tough one tonight, but then again it’ll be a tough in Los Angeles all weekend. Getting a win tonight would go a LONG way. As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time.