(UPDATE: Javy Baez was scratched with an illness. See new lineup below original lineup).
Well … ah, forget it. Just win the stupid game, Cubs.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Nicholas Castellanos, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Javy Baez, SS- David Bote, 2B
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Victor Caratini, C
- Yu Darvish, P
New Lineup for tonight:
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Nicholas Castellanos, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Ian Happ, 2B
- David Bote, SS
- Victor Caratini, C
- Yu Darvish, P
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
UPDATE: Albert Almora Jr. is no longer leading off – Anthony Rizzo is. Ian Happ is now in the lineup, playing 2B, and David Bote is covering shortstop.
I have no comment on Albert Almora Jr. leading off against a lefty, that this tweet doesn’t already say:
Of 154 MLB hitters with at least 100 plate appearances vs lefties this year, Albert Almora ranks…
152nd in OPS: .528
152nd in wRC+: 37… 36 is the worst
152nd in OBP: .248
152nd in SLG: .280
The Cubs, desperate for wins, are choosing to bat him leadoff.
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) August 15, 2019
Well, except the fact that Smyly also happens to be a reverse-split lefty this season, making the matchup even worse, but whatever. Joe Maddon is stubborn and Jason Heyward is still out. Frankly, I don’t even care about “looking silly” if Almora goes 4-4 with 4 homers tonight, because that doesn’t make this the right call. It’s not. It’s the wrong call.
As for the rest of the lineup there aren’t many surprises, other than David Bote getting the start at second base over Ian Happ (who could have also started in CF tonight). To be fair, Happ does strikeout way more against lefties (35.7%) than righties (17.9%) this season … but he’s also slashing .308/.357/.615 (147 wRC+) off them, so … you know: priorities. Let’s just hope Yu Darvish continues to bring it. As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (6:05 CT).