Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Reds (11:35 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread (UPDATE: Back on at 2:30 CT)
UPDATE: We’re in a rain delay right now, but the game will resume in just a few minutes):
Today's #Cubs-Reds game will resume at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 CT. pic.twitter.com/GyzQssaekb
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 26, 2022
Is this the Cubs best offensive lineup of the year? I think we might be close to it. With Willson Contreras and Nico Hoerner back plus Christopher Morel out in center field I think it probably is. I guess it really depends on whether you prefer Morel in center with Jonathan Villar at second base or Rafael Ortega in center with Morel at second base. Either way, I think this is as good of a lineup as the Cubs can muster right now. Hopefully that’s enough to grab their third win in Cincinnati.
Of course, even if the offense doesn’t drum up enough run support, Justin Steele seems to be in a great position to succeed. It’s never fun to pitch at Great American Ballpark, but Steele is coming off two excellent starts against the Diamondbacks (combined): 11.0 IP, 4H, 1ER, 4BB, 19Ks. And the Reds are the worst team in baseball against left-handed pitchers (far worse even than the Diamondbacks, who are the third worst in MLB!).
GO CUBS.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (18-25) at Cincinnati Reds (13-30) – Thursday, May 26 at 11:35 CT on MARQ, MLBN, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Reds: Hunter Greene (R)
versus
Cubs: Justin Steele (L)
Chicago Cubs (Lineup Discussion):
1. Christopher Morel, CF
2. Willson Contreras, C
3. Ian Happ, LF
4. Seiya Suzuki, RF
5. Frank Schwindel, DH
6. Patrick Wisdom, 3B
7. Alfonso Rivas, 1B
8. Nico Hoerner, SS
9. Jonathan Villar, 2B
Cincinnati Reds:
1. Nick Senzel, CF
2. Brandon Drury, 3B
3. Tommy Pham, DH
4. Joey Votto, 1B
5. Tyler Stephenson, C
6. Kyle Farmer, SS
7. Aristides Aquino, RF
8. Albert Almora Jr., LF
9. Matt Reynolds, 2B