The Cubs and Cardinals will wrap up their disappointing first halves of the 2021 MLB season at Wrigley Field later this afternoon. Trevor Williams is making his first start for the Cubs since returning from the Injured List after an emergency appendectomy. And the still animate-corpse of Adam Wainright will go for the Cardinals. Here’s David Ross’ final lineup before the All-Star Break.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Joc Pederson, LF
2. Kris Bryant, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, `B
4. Javy Baez, SS
5. Jason Heyward, RF
6. Nico Hoerner, 2B
7. Ian Happ, CF
8. Robinson Chirinos, C
9. Trevor Williams, P
Adam Wainwright has been almost exactly split neutral this season and doesn’t have very significant splits for his career. And somehow, even at 39-years-old, he’s having another pretty freakin’ good season: 3.58 ERA over 17 starts. In fact, since shutting down the Cubs for 8.0 innings on May 23rd (1 hit, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts, no runs), Wainwright has earned a 2.75 ERA (3.20 FIP) with five starts of 7.0 innings or more. Dude has been really good. Again. It’s wild. I certainly thought it was over back in 2017-2018, but he’s been a good, useful starter for the last three seasons now.
The lineup is pretty straight forward this afternoon, with only Willson Contreras getting a breather in favor of Robinson Chirinos. With a day game today following the night game last night that was to be expected.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (1:20 CT).