NEWSLETTER
The Cubs came up short against the Brewers in the first-half of today’s Memorial-Day-Double-Header, but that’s the thing about double-headers … you get a second chance to save the day. Here’s the Cubs lineup for the nightcap at Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Christopher Morel, 2B
2. Willson Contreras, C
3. Ian Happ, CF
4. Frank Schwindel, DH
5. Patrick Wisdom, 3B
6. Nelson Velázquez, RF
7. Clint Frazier, LF
8. Alfonso Rivas, 1B
9. Andrelton Simmons, SS
SP: Drew Smyly, LHP
It’s a battle of the lefties this evening at Wrigley Field, with Drew Smyly and the Cubs taking on Aaron Ashby and the Brewers. Ashby, 24, is a swing starter, who’s made four starts and six relief appearances this year, all while earning a 2.91 ERA. He comes with plenty of strikeouts and even more walks, and actually has reverse splits for his career (though not in a large enough sample to make any meaningful decisions).
In any case, Willson Contreras will find himself behind the plate but batting second tonight, as Christopher Morel has apparently become the legitimate, full-time leadoff man (even when Ortega was taking most of the leadoff duties, Contreras was still leading off against lefties … not anymore, I guess!).
Ian Happ follows, starting in center field for the first time this season, though he obviously has plenty of experience there in the past. Even so, he’ll be out of position and batting righty tonight. That’s a tall order, especially alongside two outfielders he hasn’t spent any time playing next to.
Beyond that, Nico Hoerner is on the bench after a really nice first game, with Andrelton Simmons getting the start instead. With a lefty starting for the Brewers, a contact pitcher on the mound for the Cubs, and a need to keep Hoerner healthy, this is a tough, but necessary choice.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-gamin’ post closer to game time (6:40 CT).
