NEWSLETTER
We’ve got a rubber match on tap at Wrigley Field this afternoon, with Justin Steele squaring off against Josiah Gray for the keys to the series. Here’s the Cubs lineup for the finale against the Nationals.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Rafael Ortega, CF
- Ian Happ, LF
- Franmil Reyes, DH
- Seiya Suzuki, RF
- Nico Hoerner, SS
- Zach McKinstry, 3B
- Yan Gomes, C
- P.J. Higgins, 1B
- Nick Madrigal, 2B
SP: Justin Steele, LHP
Willson Contreras, Patrick Wisdom, and Chris Morel are all getting the afternoon off ahead of tomorrow night’s Field of Dreams game in Iowa, which leaves room for Yan Gomes (C) and P.J. Higgins (1B) to get the rare combined start. Meanwhile, with Rafael Ortega in center field, Franmil Reyes occupies the DH role once again, and I suspect we’re going to see him there a LOT over these final two months of the season.
Zach McKinstry continues to own third base, ditto Nick Madrigal at second since his return, but left field, right field, and shortstop are the guys you expect to see.
Josiah Gray has some pretty significant lefty/righty splits (lefties crush him) and has allowed 14 homers in his last 7 games. Might not be a bad day to place a bet on one of the lefties going deep.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (1:20 CT)
