NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Cubs lineup took their sweet time scoring runs yesterday against Ken Waldichuk, who’s changeup was looking legitimately nasty. And I’m a little worried about a similarly slow start today. I have more information on him down below, but Mason Miller, the A’s top pitching prospect, is making his Major League debut against the Cubs. And frankly, he looks nasty. He’s got a 70-grade, 100 MPH fastball and a couple of other above-average pitches. And while there’s absolutely no real connection, the Cubs always seem to struggle against young pitchers making their debut. Purely anecdotal, but I feel it in my bones.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Ian Happ, LF
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Edwin Rios, DH
- Patrick Wisdom, RF
- Eric Hosmer, 1B
- Nick Madrigal, 3B
- Tucker Barnhart, C
Very different looking Cubs lineup today than we’ve seen the last few days. The first glaring change is what we hope is just a rest day for Seiya Suzuki, who’s reached base eight times in his last two games. Given that it’s a day game following a night game and that he only just returned from the IL that’s PROBABLY all that is. But I’m anxious to hear that from David Ross’ lips.
Beyond that, with the first right-handed starting pitcher in a few days, we’ve got some extra lefties in and up in the lineup. Cody Bellinger, who’s been hot, is batting cleanup. Edwin Rios comes in as the DH. And Tucker Barnhart is behind the plate. With Patrick Wisdom in right field, third base is also open for Nick Madrigal, who’s contact-bat might play against a righty like Mason Miller, who throws heat.
Oakland A’s Lineup:
Pitching Matchup:
Oakland Athletics: Mason Miller, RHP
This afternoon, the Chicago Cubs lineup will square off against the A’s top pitching prospect, Mason Miller, making his major league debut. Miller has a 70-grade fastball (yikes), a plus slider, and an above average changeup. Through his first two minor league starts of the season, he’s struck out … 19(!) batters and walked zero over 8.2 IP.
He also just looks downright nasty.
Chicago Cubs: Justin Steele, LHP
Heading into his fourth start of the season this afternoon, Justin Steele has been on an absolute heater. Like Marcus Stroman before him, Steele has begun his season with three consecutive quality starts, having allowed just 3 ER through his first 19.0 IP. He hasn’t been perfect, allowing a couple of homers in his last game and walking more (4) than he struck out (3) against the Rangers. But you just LOVE the 85.4 MPH average exit velocity, the 4.3 barrel%, and the 27.7% hard-hit rate. A staggering 57.4% groundball rate isn’t half-bad either (I’m deliberately underselling … it’s top-6 in MLB).
With that said, the A’s have surprisingly been pretty good against left-handed pitching this season (107 wRC+, 12th). So watch out.
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (10-6) vs Oakland Athletics (3-15) at 2:37pm CT on Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
