Cubs vs Rangers: Lineups, Pitching Matchups, How to Watch, Game Thread

April 7, 2023, by Michael Cerami Chicago Cubs

Well that was too long of a break. Thanks a lot, Cincinnati. At least it was one less game without Seiya Suzuki, right? Here’s a look at the Chicago Cubs lineup for the first of three games against the Texas Rangers at Wrigley Field.

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

Nico Hoerner, 2B
Dansby Swanson, SS
Ian Happ, LF
Cody Bellinger, CF
Trey Mancini, DH
Patrick Wisdom, 3B
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Miles Mastrobuoni, RF
Tucker Barnhart, C

My brain is still a little … foggy after last night’s festivities. Fortunately, this Cubs lineup doesn’t give us much to analyze. David Ross’ top-7 has been pretty much identical against most regular righties this season.

There was one notable change scheduled for Wednesday, when Nick Madrigal was set to replace Patrick Wisdom against Hunter Green’s 100-MPH fastball (Madrigal is theoretically better against heat). But Wisdom is back in there today. And it’s not like Eovaldi doesn’t throw hard. He’s not at Greene’s level, but he’ll sit 96-97 MPH today. So I’m glad to see Wisdom in there, because he’s gotten off to a nice start and has just flatly been a better overall contributor than Madrigal has.

Mastrobuoni is also starting over Madrigal, in a sense, because the Cubs could’ve had Wisdom *or* Mancini in right, opening up third or DH. That does tell you a little bit about how David Ross is thinking about Madrigal at the moment.

Maybe there was some stuff to talk about in this Cubs lineup, after all.

Texas Rangers Lineup:

Pitching Matchup:

Texas Rangers: Nathan Eovaldi, RHP

Eovaldi’s first start of the season was aggressively fine. He faced a potent Phillies lineup, striking out six and walking two, while allowing three earned runs on six hits over 5.0 innings. Not quite a quality start, not quite a disaster. And again, against that lineup, you’d probably take it. He’s a pretty good pitcher. The Cubs lineup will have their work cut out for them today.

Notable Matchups:

Mancini: 3-18, 3BB, 5K
Gomes: 6-11, 2B
Hosmer: 4-7, 2B, HR, BB

Chicago Cubs: Marcus Stroman, RHP

Marcus Stroman is making his first start since Opening Day, when he shut down the Brewers over 6.0 innings with an uncharacteristically high (but perfectly welcomed) eight strikeouts. Stroman did a great job keeping the ball on the ground in that one, and limiting hard contact, though he was a bit wilder than usual. Also fell prey to a pitch clock violation and has since complained about how it impacts his performance.

Notable Matchups: