NEWSLETTER
I’m not saying we’re in must-win territory — it’s May, after all — but I do think that losing a series against the god-awful Reds *at home* when you’re already six games under .500 would say a LOT. Here’s a look at the Cubs lineup as they try to right the ship with Memorial Day right around the corner.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Ian Happ, LF
- Seiya Suzuki, RF
- Trey Mancini, 1B
- Yan Gomes, C
- Chris Morel, DH
- Patrick Wisdom, 3B
- Mike Tauchman, CF
With a lefty on the mound for Cincinnati, the Cubs lineup will feature all the correct personnel this evening. But if we’re picking nits, I’m a little surprised to see the lefty killer Patrick Wisdom (146 wRC+ vs LHP this season) batting all the way down at eighth, while Trey Mancini (114 wRC+ vs LHP) bats three spots ahead of him.
In fact, even Gomes and Morel ahead of Wisdom rings odd, though that’s at least more understandable. No, Wisdom hasn’t be lights out lately, but he’s usually still a lock for some production against lefties, and I’m worried batting him this low is going to subtract at least one plate appearance against the southpaw starter. I swear the Cubs lineup has looked exactly right like, what … five times this year? The rest have at least one oddity that doesn’t seem to track with everything we know on the outside.
Cincinnati Reds Lineup:
- TJ Friedl, CF
- Matt McLain, SS
- Jonathan India, 2B
- Jake Fraley, RF
- Tyler Stephenson, DH
- Spencer Steer, 1B
- Nick Senzel, 3B
- Stuart Fairchild, LF
- Kurt Casali, C
Pitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP
After returning from the injured list in early May, Jameson Taillon’s first three starts were short and ineffective. However, with generally good looking pitches/velocity and some unfortunate luck/sequencing, we were pretty understanding of his performance. But his last time out — his FOURTH start post IL — was the dividing line. That long back into the swing of things you have to do better than six earned runs over 2.1 IP with more walks (3) than Ks (1). So all told, since returning from the injured list with a groin injury, Taillon has allowed 17 earned runs over 12.2 IP. If he can’t come through again today, the Cubs will have to seriously think about if more time on the injured list is necessary.
Cincinnati Reds: Brandon Williamson, LHP
There is not a single Reds starting pitcher in this series that should actually be a problem for the Cubs this weekend. But, once again … that’s what I thought yesterday. Alas. While today’s starter, Brandon Williamson, hasn’t been great in Triple-A this year, he was a top-100 prospect recently (2022), and hasn’t had a horrible big league debut so far … four earned runs (3.60 ERA) over his first 10.0 IP including a game in Colorado.
Unlike yesterday’s starter, Hunter Greene (a hard-throwing righty) Williamson is a lefty, who tops out around 91-92 MPH. At least the 2023 Cubs lineup has been really strong against left-handed pitchers this season.
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (22-28) vs Cincinnati Reds (22-29) at 6:15 pm CT on FOX, 670 The Score
