Chicago Cubs Lineup: KB Takes First, Nico Gets Another Start, Almora and Souza in Against the Lefty

July 20, 2020, by Brett Taylor Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs head to the South Side tonight to return the favor to the White Sox. Yu Darvish takes the mound for the Cubs, and they’ll face lefty Dallas Keuchel. Hence a lineup that looks pretty “against lefties.”

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Kris Bryant, 1B
2. David Bote, 3B
3. Javy Baez, SS
4. Kyle Schwarber, DH
5. Steven Souza, LF
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. Albert Almora, CF
8. Nico Hoerner, 2B
9. Victor Caratini, C

You can’t presume that an exhibition lineup is the plan for the season, but since it’s what we’ve got, I’ll note a few things: Nico Hoerner gets his second straight start at second, and figures now to be pretty locked in against lefties, at least. I’m fine with Almora and Souza being in there against a lefty, though I do hope that Jason Heyward gets some days off against lefties – he has struggled mightily against them in his career, and especially in recent years. On a normal Darvish day against a lefty, I wonder if Willson Contreras would get the start at DH over Schwarber. I don’t have a problem with Schwarber facing lefties, but no sense in taking away at bats from Contreras against a lefty during the regular season.

We’ll have a full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (7:05 CT).

Filed to: Chicago Cubs