NEWSLETTER
As is tradition, the Cubs had a particularly long break after a heartbreaking loss against the Rays at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. But they’re back at it against the Padres this weekend for a four-game set that runs through Monday (for some reason). Here’s a look at the Chicago Cubs lineup for the first of those four games with Jameson Taillon squaring up against Michael Wacha.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Ian Happ, LF
- Seiya Suzuki, RF
- Mike Tauchman, CF
- Chris Morel, DH
- Trey Mancini, 1B
- Patrick Wisdom, 3B
- Yan Gomes, C
This Cubs lineup is pretty straight forward tonight, with one notable exception: Matt Mervis is on the bench against a righty. While, yes, it’s true that Trey Mancini hit a homer off Wacha at the end of April, it’s not like he’s been all that great against him overall in his career. And worse, with a lefty scheduled to start Games 3 and 4, we might see Mervis for just one game this series.
I’m not saying that’s the wrong decision (well, I think it probably isn’t necessary tonight, but I understand it), but it certainly doesn’t say NOTHING about how Mervis’ struggles are weighing on the mind of David Ross.
Then again, it’s possible Mervis just doesn’t feel 100% right now. You never know. Or maybe Ross just wants to get him some extended time off (a day off after an off-day, plus two more rest days on Sunday and Monday against the lefties). But I think it’s a lot simpler than that. I think Ross thinks Mancini gives the Cubs a better chance to win tonight, even against a righty. And the fact that that’s not totally crazy is kind of a bummer.
Mervis would hardly be the first prospect to struggle in his initial debut, but he obviously hasn’t provided the spark we were all hoping he might when he first came up.
San Diego Padres Lineup:
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Fernando Tatis, JR., RF
- Juan Soto, LF
- Manny Machado, 3B
- Jake Cronenworth, 1B
- Gary Sanchez, C
- Matt Carpenter, DH
- Rougned Odor, 3B
- Trent Grisham, CF
Pitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP
Will today finally be the day Jameson Taillon delivers his first quality start for the Chicago Cubs? Yep, that’s right. He hasn’t even given the Cubs six full innings in one start this season, even before the injury. And since returning, it’s been nothing but bad luck, bad performances, and horrible results: five starts, 17.1 IP, 21 earned runs on 27 hits, including five homers, seven walks and 16 strikeouts. He really needs to step up his game soon, especially with Justin Steele out. There isn’t an easy phantom IL stint around the corner. Just be better. And, hey, for what it’s worth, the Padres (92 wRC+) are actually one of the bottom-10 teams in MLB against right-handed pitching this season. But boy that top of the lineup is scary.
San Diego Padres: Michael Wacha, RHP
Michael Wacha really pissed me off earlier this season in his first start against Chicago. Sure, the Cubs lineup got to him eventually (Trey Mancini hit a two-run homer and Nico Hoerner scored Patrick Wisdom on a single), but they only got three runs total. This is a guy that always got CRUSHED at Wrigley Field. I had come to expect it. Of course, Wacha is new man. He’s been throwing his four-seamer and cutter less, while increasing the use of his change-up (a lot) and curveball (a little). And it’s been working for him. Since that start against the Cubs, Wacha has made five starts totaling 32.0 IP with just THREE earned runs on 16 hits, 7 walks, and 26 strikeouts. Nuts. He’s on an absolute HEATER. The Cubs lineup may be quiet tonight ….
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (24-31) vs San Diego Padres (26-30) at 8:40 pm CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
