NEWSLETTER
It wouldn’t technically be a sweep, because one of these four games have been postponed until May, but the Cubs are going for three straight wins against the Brewers this afternoon. And that’s good enough for me.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Rafael Ortega, LF
2. Nick Madrigal, 2B
3. Jonathan Villar, 3B
4. Alfonso Rivas, 1B
5. Seiya Suzuki, RF
6. Clint Frazier, DH
7. Jason Heyward, CF
8. Yan Gomes, C
9. Nico Hoerner, SS
The Cubs are rolling with an entirely different group against Freddy Peralta and the Brewers today. And while some of the changes were expected (Jonathan Villar and Alfonso Rivas will occasionally spell Frank Schwindel and Patrick Wisdom against tough right-handers who throw fastballs up in the zone, and Willson Contreras can’t start every game), others were not.
For example, Ian Happ is sitting out of today’s game after getting hit hard on the knee yesterday afternoon. The X-rays were negative, but Happ has been the Cubs best hitter through the first two games of the season, so you just hope he didn’t wake up feeling too sore. The Cubs do have an off-day tomorrow, so sitting Happ today actually can give him two full days off, which is nice.
With Happ out, David Ross was able to get Clint Frazier’s bat into the lineup – while keeping Jason Heyward in center field – without taking out Rafael Ortega, the preferred leadoff man against righties. Ortega is also 2-3 against Peralta (which is a nothing sample, but well, now you know).
Oh, and Nico Hoerner is 3-5, 2 2Bs against Peralta, who notably, has been pretty split-neutral for his career (in terms of lefty/righty).
We’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (1:20 CT)
