All things considered, a split in Colorado would be a perfectly great outcome for the Cubs. Let’s see if this group has what it takes to make it happen.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Clint Frazier, LF
2. Nick Madrigal, 2B
3. Willson Contreras, DH
4. Frank Schwindel, 1B
5. Seiya Suzuki, RF
6. Yan Gomes, C
7. Patrick Wisdom, 3B
8. Michael Hermosillo, CF
9. Nico Hoerner, SS
With the lefty, Austin Gomber, on the mound for the Rockies today, David Ross is rolling with ONLY righty bats in the lineup. But he’s doing so differently than he has against other lefty starters this season. We’re still getting Clint Frazier up top and Michael Hermosillo in center field, but both switch-hitters (Ian Happ and Jonathan Villar) are on the bench and Yan Gomes is behind the plate. That opens up the designated hitter spot for Willson Contreras (his first time starting there this year) and keeps Patrick Wisdom, who’s suddenly swinging a hot bat, at third base.
I should point out, however, that Gomber’s career lefty/righty splits are not particularly strong. Righties are still hitting him better than lefties as you’d expect, and the gap was more pronounced last season, but it’s not a huge split. With that said, Gomber hasn’t been great at keeping the ball on the ground throughout his career, and that’s where righties are really able to make a difference.
So somebody is going deep today. We’ll just have to hope it happens before the double play ball wipes all the extra runs off the board.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (2:10 CT).