UPDATE: Annnnnd Seiya Suzuki has been scratched. He was originally in the lineup, but apparently his pre-game didn’t go so well, and the ankle soreness that kicked in last night will keep him out of the starting lineup tonight.
Here’s the new lineup, with the Cubs encouragingly noting that he’s available off the bench:
Seiya Suzuki was scratched from the starting lineup due to right ankle soreness.
He will be available off the bench. New #Cubs lineup: pic.twitter.com/hGG1a36HIb
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 11, 2022
A little maneuvering to the order, and Yan Gomes taking Suzuki’s spot at DH.
Original post follows.
I was worried about Seiya Suzuki all night for nothing! The Cubs right fielder is back in the lineup tonight (albeit as the designated hitter) after being removed from the game yesterday with a sore ankle. I’ll take it! Here’s the rest of the Cubs lineup for Game 2 in San Diego – with RHP Mike Clevinger on the mound.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:Â
1. Rafael Ortega, RF
2. Seiya Suzuki, DH
3. Ian Happ, LF
4. Willson Contreras, C
5. Alfonso Rivas, 1B
6. Nico Hoerner, SS
7. Jason Heyward, CF
8. Patrick Wisdom, 3B
9. Jonathan Villar, 2B
SP: Wade Miley, LHP (Cubs debut!)
Clevinger, 31, is making his second start of the season tonight coming off a lengthy TJS rehab (more on that in the Pre-Gamin’ post later), and he comes with moderately useful lefty (.306 wOBA)/righty (.274 wOBA) splits for his career.
Knowing that, I suppose tonight was a good time to let Seiya Suzuki rest that sore ankle as the DH. That allows both Rafael Ortega (RF) and Jason Heyward (CF) to join Ian Happ (LF) for an all-lefty outfield. With Jonathan Villar also in there at second base, the Cubs have five lefties in the starting lineup. And, hey, if they win this one, they’ll win their first series since the opening slate against Milwaukee.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (8:40 CT).