NEWSLETTER
Forget the rest of the division for now; the Cubs are just ONE game away from .500. That’s all that matters at the moment. And they have a chance to break even TODAY with Marcus Stroman on the mound against Cardinals lefty Matthew Liberatore (Jack Flaherty was scratched). Here’s a look at the Cubs lineup for the finale in London.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Seiya Suzuki, RF
- Chris Morel, CF
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Ian Happ, LF
- Trey Mancini, 1B
- Miguel Amaya, DH
- Nick Madrigal, 3B
- Tucker Barnhart, C
Let’s work backwards here: Tucker Barnhart is behind the plate once again, and I’m increasingly okay with it. He’s still a liability offensively (though he did have a nice game his last time out!), but he’s clearly becoming Marcus Stroman’s personal catcher (for example, he’s starting today despite a lefty on the mound for St. Louis). And that’s more important.
Marcus Stroman Catcher Splits:
Barnhart: 9 games, 60.2 IP, 1.63 ERA
Gomes: 7 games, 38.0 IP, 3.32 ERA
Any significance there? I couldn’t say for sure, but Stroman clearly thinks so. And that was supposed to be Barnhart’s top value add, so it’s not out of the question that he’s finally settling in with certain guys.
Beyond that, we have a very different looking Cubs lineup today. Nick Madrigal continues to draw starts at third. But with a lefty on the mound, both Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman are getting the day off. That opens up center field for Chris Morel, who moves way up in the lineup, and first base for Trey Mancini, who’s basically been 1B vs LHP or nothing. Hopefully he’s working on sharpening up that defense ….
Ian Happ (as a righty) is batting fifth after a scorching-hot three-game stretch, including two homers yesterday, and Nico Hoerner is your leadoff man.
One more win and the Cubs are back to .500. Let’s do it.
St. Louis Cardinals Lineup:
- Brendan Donovan, LF
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Lars Nootbaar, RF
- Nolan Arenado, 3B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Nolan Gorman, 2B
- Jordan Walker, DH
- Paul DeJong, SS
- Tommy Edman, CF
Pitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Marcus Stroman RHP
Marcus Stroman is having a career year — full stop. He’s been one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, leading everyone in quality starts and the NL in earned run average (2.28 ERA, 3rd in MLB). With a lengthy start today, he could reclaim the lead in innings pitched. Stroman’s had a particularly good stretch over his last seven games, with just 7 earned runs over 48.2 IP (1.29 ERA). In a lot of ways, he’s carrying this team
St. Louis Cardinals: Matthew Liberatore, LHP
The Cubs lineup is loaded with righties this afternoon because Matthew Liberatore has VERY significant lefty/righty splits for his career. The big league sample isn’t huge, but righties are hitting .318/.396/.553 (.404 wOBA) off Liberatore with 1.23 HR/9 and a 15.8% K-rate. You don’t want to sit Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman too often right now, but today? It made sense.
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (37-38) vs St. Louis Cardinals (31-45) at 9:10 am CT on ESPN, 670 The Score
