The Chicago Cubs have two games on tap today, and here’s how they’ll line up for game 1 against the lefty Kwang Hyun Kim.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Kris Bryant, LF
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
3. Javy Baez, SS
4. Willson Contreras, C
5. David Bote, 3B
6. Steven Souza Jr., RF
7. Josh Phegley, DH
8. Albert Almora Jr., CF
9. Nico Hoerner, 2B
No Ian Happ, no Jason Heyward, no Kyle Schwarber, no Jason Kipnis, no Victor Caratini.
David Ross has removed two left-handers and two switch-hitters from the everyday lineup and replaced them with all the righties they can find. Part of the reasoning, no doubt, is that with the double-header tonight, you’re going to have to mix in these guys anyway. And with Kyle Hendricks on the mound in a 7-inning game, you’re (hopefully) going to need fewer runs in this one than the second leg of the DH.
But the more important reasons, I’m sure, is Kim.
We don’t have much data or background on the Cardinals new southpaw, but I’m sure the Cubs do. And based on this lineup, I’m willing to bet he’s one of those guys that’s especially tough on left-handed batters. Combine all these data points together and it’s fairly easy to understand this lineup, even if it looks, on the surface, like something close to the weakest offensive group the Cubs could string together on a normal day.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (4:15 CT).