NEWSLETTER
This evening, the Chicago Cubs will look to poke their heads back above .500 for the third time this season behind Drew Smyly at Wrigley Field. The tough right-hander, Luis Castillo, stands in opposition, looking to build on an already excellent start to the year. Here’s a look at the Cubs lineup for the first of three games at Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Ian Happ, LF
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Trey Mancini, 1B
- Eric Hosmer, DH
- Patrick Wisdom, 3B
- Yan Gomes, C
- Miles Mastrobuoni, RF
Spin the wheel, place your bets, and the dial lands on … Miles Mastrobuoni! He’s today fill-in right fielder as we all anxiously await the return of Seiya Suzuki, which could be any day now (but seems to be lining up for a return this weekend against the Dodgers).
Mastrobuoni hasn’t been great as a replacement, but neither has Nick Madrigal (via 3B). Even Trey Mancini has had his issue out in right field. Boy the Cubs really need Suzuki back. Maybe the freshly called up Nelson Velázquez can help bridge the gap?
That said, Patrick Wisdom has performed well with his extra time on the field. I wonder how much longer we have to go before he’s just the everyday third baseman, taking time off only for *very* bad matchups and rest-related concerns.
Seattle Mariners Lineup:
- Julio Rodriguez, CF
- Ty France, 1B
- Eugenio Suarez, 3B
- Teoscar Hernandez, RF
- AJ Pollock, LF
- Sam Haggerty, 2B
- Tom Murphy, C
- Cooper Hummel, DH
- J.P. Crawford, SS
Pitching Matchup:
Seattle Mariners: Luis Castillo, RHP
Luis Castillo is already on his third start of the season tonight, having allowed no earned runs in his first 11.2 IP. That performance comes with 12 strikeouts against just two walks and just three hits total. In other words, he’s been ON. The only good news is that the Cubs lineup does have a fair amount of experience against Castillo from his time in Cincinnati.
Chicago Cubs: Drew Smyly, LHP
Drew Smyly is making just his second start of the season, after his first (in Cincinnati) kinda went off the rails: 4.2 IP, 9H, 6ER, 2BB, 3K. If I recall correctly, Smyly was kind of BABIP-ed to death in that one, but that’s the risk you run as a contact-oriented pitcher (who also gives up a couple of untimely walks). Hopefully, more of the balls in play tonight find gloves. Not much mutual history to consider against the Mariners.
How to Watch:
Chicago Cubs (4-4) vs Seattle Mariners (4-6) at 6:40 CT on Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
