Welp. The Cubs need a win tonight to avoid the four-game sweep in Atlanta, and also their sixth loss in a row. Even more specifically, the Cubs offense is currently rocking a 20-inning scoreless streak. So these are the guys who’ll have to turn that around …
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
2. Willson Contreras, C
3. Matt Duffy, 3B
4. Kris Bryant, LF
5. Javy Báez, SS
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. Jake Marisnick, CF
8. Nico Hoerner, 2B
9. Adbert Alzolay, P
The big news there, obviously, is the return of Javy Báez. Thankfully that hamstring strain must’ve quieted down quite quickly, and he ultimately missed only a few days. We’ll see if he looks 100% tonight.
In the meantime, we got our first answer on what would happen with respect to Nico Hoerner starting every day once Báez was back – and the answer is, he’s still starting. Oddly, Matt Duffy stays in at third base instead of David Bote being over there, with Kris Bryant out in left field. David Ross must really like Matt Duffy (I mean, he’s not hitting for any power, but he does have a .395 OBP at the moment), and/or David Bote must be dinged a little.
The Cubs also made a roster move before tonight’s game, by the way, DFA’ing reliever Brandon Workman and calling up lefty Justin Steele.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (6:20 CT).