Despite their better efforts, the Cubs are still able to field a team for tonight’s opener against the Washington Nationals. Here’s the lineup, complete with a totally remade infield.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Rafael Ortega, CF
2. Willson Contreras, C
3. Ian Happ, LF
4. Patrick Wisdom, 1B
5. David Bote, 2B
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. Matt Duffy, 3B
8. Sergio Alcantara, SS
9. Jake Arrieta, P
No Rizzo (NYY). No Baez (NYM). No Bryant (SFG). No Nico (Injured List).
That’ll take some getting used to.
Thanks to their trio of third basemen, however, the Cubs are still able to field a more impressive lineup than you’d expect after trading away as much as they did today (not that it really matters, but … you get it). David Bote is at second base, Matt Duffy is at third base, and Patrick Wisdom is at first base. All three guys have been part-time starters in their time with the team, and Wisdom, in particular, seems to be getting hot again.
Since July 6th, Patrick Wisdom is slashing .276/.354/.568 (143 wRC+) with a 10.8 BB%, 35.4 K%, and 5 homers.
Overall, he's slashing .268/.335/.605 (147 wRC+), which leads all MLB rookies. His 1.7 WAR ranks fourth among all rookies and 2nd in the NL.
He could legit be NL ROY.
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) July 30, 2021
In the meantime, with Baez off to New York and Nico Hoerner on the IL, Sergio Alcantara was recalled from Iowa and is playing shortstop tonight. He’ll likely be your starting shortstop until Hoerner comes back.
Beyond that, there’s familiarity behind the plate (Willson Contreras) and across the outfield (Happ, Ortega, Heyward), but a big surprise at starting pitcher, as Jake Arrieta is filling in for the traded Trevor Williams.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (6:05 CT).