The Cubs weren’t able to get in the finale against the Reds last night, but they’ve got no scheduled off days until August 10th, so they’re headed back out there tonight – this time, at Wrigley Field against the Pirates. The lineup is mostly the same as the group we were supposed to get yesterday, with one exception: Jason Kipnis replaces Nico Hoerner at second base.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Kris Bryant, 3B
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
3. Javy Baez, SS
4. Kyle Schwarber, LF
5. Willson Contreras, DH
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. Victor Caratini, C
8. Jason Kipnis, 2B
9. Ian Happ, CF
Trevor Williams is on the mound for the Pirates tonight and although he’s a righty, he doesn’t have very significant splits. For the most part, batters from both sides of the plate hit the ball in the air about 36% of the time, on the ground 42% of the time, and on a line drive 22% of the time. Righties make a little more hard contact (though still not much), but they also strike out a lot more, so again, on the whole, the splits are mostly irrelevant from the pitcher’s perspective.
Of course, hitters have their own splits and so I’m glad to see four lefties and two switch-hitters in the lineup tonight.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (7:15).