The Cubs are beginning their third series against the Pirates tonight, with the first of three games at Wrigley Field. Wade Miley is taking the ball for Chicago, and the lefty, Dillon Peters, is starting for Pittsburgh. That means it’s time for Willson Contreras to reclaim his spot atop the Cubs lineup.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Willson Contreras, DH
2. Seiya Suzuki, RF
3. Ian Happ, LF
4. Frank Schwindel, 1B
5. Yan Gomes, C
6. Patrick Wisdom, 3B
7. Jonathan Villar, 2B
8. Andrelton Simmons, SS
9. Rafael Ortega, CF
With Michael Hermosillo still on the shelf (quad strain), Rafael Ortega is taking over center field against a left-handed pitcher tonight.
And with Contreras at DH/leading off and Frank Schwindel at first (both of which make sense in the abstract), that also means Alfonso Rivas is on the bench. I think Schwindel has shown just enough offensively since his fake-demotion to earn these additional starts lately, but I will eventually like to see what Rivas has against left-handed pitching, too. In the short term, it’s no big deal, and I’d wager this group gives the Cubs a better chance of winning tonight.
Andrelton Simmons and Jonathan Villar are your double-play combo, and Gomes is behind the plate. As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (6:40 CT).