NEWSLETTER
Happy Marcus Stroman Day!
One of the Cubs’ two big offseason additions, Marcus Stroman, is making his 2022 debut today in the series finale against the Brewers. And if we’re lucky, he’ll match the performance of either Cubs starter that came before him: Kyle Hendricks (5.1 IP, 5H, 1ER, 3BB, 7Ks) and Justin Steele (5.0 IP, 4H, 1BB, 5K).
If you’re unfamiliar with Stroman’s style, he’s primarily a four-pitch righty (sinker, slider, splitter, cutter) with the rare four-seamer and curveball. He’s coming off a 33-start season (179.0 IP), with a 3.02 ERA and a 6.0% walk rate. And while you shouldn’t expect too many strikeouts, he should be able to keep the ball on the ground throughout the game.
The Cubs lineup looks a little different today, with Yan Gomes behind the plate instead of Willson Contreras, Clint Frazier in left instead of Ian Happ, and Rivas + Villar along the infield corners instead of Schwisdom. Seiya Suzuki also moved up in the order to fifth to accommodate some of the changes. Rafael Ortega is still leading off and Nico Hoerner is still batting ninth.
A third Cubs win in a row wouldn’t technically count as a sweep (because of the postponed game on Friday), but I think that will sit just fine with all of us. Go Cubs.
Game Info
Milwaukee Brewers (0-2) at Chicago Cubs (2-0) – Sunday, April 10 at 1:20 CT on Marquee, 670 The Score
Bet of the Day:
I went wild today, with a 3-leg same-game parlay at DraftKings: Cubs Moneyline + Nico Hoerner to get a hit + Rafael Ortega to hit a home run. I … can’t advise this exact bet, because I’m clearly swinging for the fences (hopefully just like Ortega), but sometimes it’s fun to play for the big payout with a small bet.
Starting Pitchers
Brewers: Freddy Peralta (R)
versus
Cubs: Marcus Stroman (R)
Chicago Cubs (Lineup Discussion):
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
Milwaukee Brewers:
1. Kolten Wong, 2B
2. Willy Adames, SS
3. Christian Yelich, LF
4. Andrew McCutchen, DH
5. Rowdy Tellez, 1B
6. Hunter Renfroe, RF
7. Omar Narváez, C
8. Lorenzo Cain, CF
9. Jace Peterson, 3B
