You know what the Cubs have right now? Momentum. The tricky part is keeping it up. Here’s the lineup for Game 2 against right-hander Wil Crowe and the Pirates.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Joc Pederson, LF
2. Kris Bryant, CF
3. Javy Baez, SS
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Willson Contreras, C
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. David Bote, 3B
8. Eric Sogard, 2B
9. Trevor Williams, P
Crowe, 26, has made just five total starts in MLB, including just two this season. He’s been a little wild so far, walking 8 total batters in 9.2 innings pitched, so it could be a good day to be patient (I wish Ian Happ were available for this one). Statcast has his fastball in the mid-90s (he throws a four-seamer and a sinker), but he also mixes in a slider (26.7%) and changeup (24.3%) with some regularity (he also has a curveball, but he doesn’t use it too often).
Eric Sogard hasn’t had a ton of starts lately, but in the absence of Nico Hoerner, with a righty on the mound, he’s getting another shot. Kris Bryant continues to be the Cubs starting center fielder.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time.