The Chicago Cubs are on the bring of postseason elimination. A Cubs loss or Brewers win and it’s all over. But because they’re not mathematically eliminated just yet, Joe Maddon is sticking with the regulars.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Nicholas Castellanos, RF
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Ian Happ, 3B
- Jason Heyward, CF
- Nico Hoerner, SS
- Jon Lester, P
This will be Jon Lester’s final start of the 2019 season and, frankly, I wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t the last start for a few guys who’ve dealt with injuries but are otherwise expected to return next season (a.k.a. Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras). In fact, if it were up to me, none of Rizzo, Contreras, Baez, Bryant and probably even Darvish and Kimbrel would play again. All six players could be crucial to the Cubs chances in 2020 – in one way or another – and each has dealt with significant injuries this season.
With (almost) literally nothing left to gain, shutting them down after today would be wise.
But for at least one more game, we’ll get all the “regulars,” so let’s see what happens. As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (6:05 CT).