What’s in store for the Cubs this weekend? Three big games against a good team who needs to win just as badly. North Side v. South Side. Here’s the lineup for Game 1. Let’s go.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:Â
1. Ian Happ, CF
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
3. Willson Contreras, C
4. Jason Heyward, RF
5. Javy Baez, SS
6. Kyle Schwarber, LF
7. Victor Caratini, C
8. Jason Kipnis, 2B
9. Nico Hoerner, 3B
Former Cubs prospect Dylan Cease is starting for the White Sox tonight, coming off a horrendous couple of starts, during which he surrendered 12 walks in 7.2 IP. He did face the Cubs once already this season (August 23rd), and went 6.0 IP, allowing just 2 earned runs on 5 hits, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. That was his last quality start.
In terms of splits, lefties hit Cease A LOT better than righties, striking out out in a mere 11% of plate appearances, while walking 14.5% of the time. HOWEVER, righties do make more hard contact and fewer ground balls (by no insignificant margin), so you might expect Ian Happ, Anthony Rizzo, Jason Heyward, Kyle Schwarber, Victor Caratini, and Jason Kipnis to all be a little more patient and accepting of free passes while Willson Contreras, Javy Baez, and Nico Hoerner swing away. That sort of fits everyone’s M.O. anyway, eh?
As far as the lineup goes, with Kris Bryant still out, Nico Hoerner takes over third base, batting ninth. With Yu Darvish on the mound, Victor Caratini is behind the plate, batting 7th, with Willson Contreras at DH, batting third. Jason Heyward, somehow, is the Cubs best hitter this season, and is batting cleanup tonight because of it. What a weird year.
Jason Heyward (143 wRC+), the Cubs best hitter, is batting cleanup tonight.
2020.
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) September 25, 2020
Let’s go Cubs and as usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (7:10 CT).