The Cubs are back again for an afternoon contest against the Oakland A’s at Sloan Park and broadcast on Marquee Sports Network. Trevor Williams is making his second start of the spring, after tossing two scoreless innings (with 4 hits and 4 strikeouts) in his 2021 Spring Debut.
As is now the expectation, the Cubs lineup begins with a series of regular/everyday starters, including expected leadoff man Ian Happ. I don’t think we can take too much from these spring lineups for obvious reasons, but Happ’s position is pretty clear. And I think David Ross might be getting a feel for his second batter, routinely testing out Anthony Rizzo (yesterday) and Willson Contreras (today). Kris Bryant would probably also be an option, but I like to remind people that he said he didn’t love batting second.
I had Contreras batting second behind Happ in my guess for an Opening Day lineup against righties, and I think that’s still looking good *to start the year*. How about something like this:
1. Ian Happ, CF (S)
2. Willson Contreras, C (R)
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B (L)
4. Kris Bryant, 3B (R)
5. Joc Pederson, LF (L)
6. Javy Báez, SS (R)
7. Jason Heyward, RF (L)
8. Nico Hoerner, 2B (R)
9. Pitcher
As I mentioned in that post, I think Javy Baez could very easily work his way up that lineup, but I’d also like to start him out slowly.
Anyway, I digress. Oh, and hey, Eric Sogard and Matt Duffy are each getting what I think is their first start of the spring. So that’s fun. Good day to have the game televised. Enjoy.
Game Info
Oakland A’s (3-4) at Chicago Cubs (5-2) – Tuesday, March 9th, at 2:05 CT on Marquee Sports Network
Starting Pitchers
A’s: Cole Irvin (L)
versus
Cubs: Trevor Williams (R)
Chicago Cubs:
1. Ian Happ, CF
2. Willson Contreras, C
3. Joc Pederson, LF
4. Jason Heyward, RF
5. David Bote, 3B
6. Eric Sogard, 2B
7. Ildemaro Vargas, SS
8. Nick Martini, DH
9. Matt Duffy, 1B
Oakland A’s:
1. Mark Canha, CF
2. Jed Lowrie, 2B
3. Matt Olson, 1B
4. Matt Chapman, 3B
5. Mitch Moreland, DH
6. Chad Pinder, LF
7. Elvis Andrus, SS
8. Skye Bolt, RF
9. Carlos Perez, C