NEWSLETTER
Now that Corbin Burnes is not starting tomorrow, the Cubs have a real shot to claim this series, but it all starts tonight with an equally difficult matchup against the right-hander Brandon Woodruff.
Woodruff has faced the Cubs three times already this season, and well, it hasn’t exactly gone their way to date:
4/07: 7.0 IP, 1H, 0ER, 0BB, 8Ks
4/13:Â 6.0 IP, 3H, 1ER, 1BB, 6Ks
4/25:Â 6.0 IP, 2H, 0ER, 2BB, 8Ks
Altogether, that’s one earned run over 19.0 IP with 22 strikeouts and just 3 walks. Ouch.
Here’s David Ross’ lineup for Game 2 in Milwaukee.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Joc Pederson, LF
2. Willson Contreras, C
3. Javy Baez, SS
4. Ian Happ, CF
5. Patrick Wisdom, 1B
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. Sergio Alcantara, 2B
8. Eric Sogard, 3B
9. Zach Davies, P
Woodruff has been brutal on all types of hitters this season, but he’s actually been especially hard on lefties, against whom he likes to pound his changeup low and away. So keep an eye out for that one tonight against Ian Happ, Jason Heyward, Sergio Alcantara, and Eric Sogard.
Notice that Anthony Rizzo is once again out of the lineup after leaving a game early with back soreness over the weekend. There is an off-day coming on Thursday, so if will probably miss tomorrow’s game too, even on the optimistic side of life.
Kris Bryant is also out of the lineup tonight, which may have to do with the fact that he’s 2-20 with 10Ks and no walks. Woodruff is tough on everyone, but he might especially have a struggling Kris Bryant’s number.
Covering third for Bryant is Eric Sogard and covering first for Rizzo is Patrick Wisdom. That leaves second base open for Alcantara and right/center open for Happ and Heyward. Willson Contreras is back in there after a night off yesterday and Joc Pederson is the leadoff man.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (7:10 CT).
Brandon Woodruff:
