The Cubs and Rockies were rained out last night, which means we’ve got a double-header on tap today at Wrigley Field. The Rockies are sticking with German Marquez Austin Gomber is pitching the first game for the Rockies, and the Cubs have switched to Zach Davies. Here’s the lineup for Game 1.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Michael Hermosillo, RF
2. Frank Schwindel, 1B
3. Matt Duffy, 3B
4. Patrick Wisdom, LF
5. David Bote, 2B
6. Rafael Ortega, CF
7. Austin Romine, SS
8. Andrew Romine, C
9. Zach Davies, P
Rafael Ortega is still in there playing center field, but he’s no longer leading off. That spot, instead, falls to Michael Hermosillo, who wasn’t even in the initial lineup yesterday against Marquez. Why is Ortega not leading off? Well, perhaps with the 7-inning double header, Ross just wants to make sure Hermosillo gets one extra at-bat than he would have lower in the order. That would be my best guess, anyway, because Ortega has become increasingly entrenched in that leadoff spot for the last few weeks.
Hermosillo replaced right fielder Jason Heyward, whom I’m guessing we’ll see in Game 2.
Other changes include swapping out Sergio Alcantara for Austin Romine at shortstop and moving Patrick Wisdom to left field (in place of Ian Happ) as Matt Duffy shuffles in to play third. Wisdom has a long way to go to prove he can be an everyday player on a competitive Cubs team in the future, but I do love his positional versatility.