The 2019 Chicago Cubs will have a chance to win another series this afternoon, but they’ll have to do it with a lineup straight out of 2014.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Javy Baez, SS
- Kris Bryant, RF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Robel Garcia, LF
- Victor Caratini, C
- Addison Russell, 2B
- David Bote, 3B
- Jose Quintana, P
The Padres are throwing left-handed Joey Lucchesi on the mound this afternoon, who’s pretty close to split neutral against lefties and righties this season (.273 v. .279 wOBA), but whose career is a little more traditionally split …
So maybe that’s why Kyle Schwarber is getting his THIRD straight start on the bench immediately after homering in three consecutive games and despite having better numbers against lefties than Albert Almora Jr. does this season … by almost double:
Almora: .221/.259/.312 (49 wRC+)
Schwarber: .220/.304/.407 (83 wRC+)
Or maybe Schwarber’s a little banged up and is just getting some extra rest when the matchup makes it easier? He has come into pinch-hit in each of the last two games, so if he’s sore, it’s probably not particularly serious. Or maybe he’s being partially protected as his name gets tossed around in trade discussions. It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened and it’s not like we don’t know Schwarber is a fairly obvious trade chip. I’ve been told not to draw any conclusions, so I’m just here asking questions. You know, questions like wtf? (Okay, I’m exaggerating. It’s not that big of a deal … I just miss me some Schwar-bombs).
Jason Heyward is also getting the day off today, and with Ben Zobrist still gone, plus Willson Contreras on the injured list, and Schwarber on the bench, we’re left with one extremely unidentifiable lineup in the 2015-? competitive window.
A lineup that includes Robel Garcia in left field, Victor Caratini behind the plate, David Bote at third base, Albert Almora Jr. in center, and Addison Russell at second. There’s obviously plenty of offensive potential still in that lineup (particularly 2-6), but it’s definitely not the best starting 9 the Cubs have ever put forth.
As usual, we’ll have a full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (1:20 CT).