NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Cubs have all but lost any hope of avoiding a sell-off at this point. And one more loss to the Nationals at home will certainly seal their fate. So … good luck Jameson Taillon. I hope that 11-day break after your first good start in a Cubs uniform didn’t spoil whatever you may have figured out. Here’s the Cubs lineup for Game 2 in Chicago.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, SS
- Seiya Suzuki, RF
- Ian Happ, LF
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Yan Gomes, DH
- Chris Morel, 2B
- Trey Mancini, 1B
- Miguel Amaya, C
- Patrick Wisdom, 3B
As far as 2023 Cubs lineups without Dansby Swanson go, I’ve seen worse! With a lefty on the mound for Washington (Patrick Corbin, more on him below), the Cubs are able to sneak Yan Gomes and Miguel Amaya into the lineup. Why that almost seemingly requires a left-handed pitcher to accomplish is beyond all meaning and understanding on Earth, but for tonight, they got it right.
And Corbin, for what it’s worth, has been torched by righties this year …
vLHH: .222/.300/.292 (.270 wOBA)
vRHH: .316/.359/.489 (.365 wOBA)
… so hopefully that pays off with only Cody Bellinger batting from the left side of the plate.
Meanwhile, with Swanson still out (and no immediate return in sight), Nico Hoerner continues to cover short as Morel takes over second base. That leaves third open for Patrick Wisdom, who’s got two homers in his last 6 ABs, and first for Trey Mancini.
UPDATE: Christopher Morel has been scratched:
Washington Nationals Lineup:
- C.J. Abrams, SS
- Lane Thomas, RF
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
- Joey Meneses, DH
- Keibert Ruiz, C
- Dom Smith, 1B
- Corey Dickerson, LF
- Luis Garcia, 2B
- Alex Call, CF
Pitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP
Jameson Taillon FINALLY delivered a high-quality start in a Cubs uniform, and then, thanks to the All-Star break and re-ordering of the Cubs rotation, hasn’t pitched in 11 days. LOL. That oughta help. All jokes aside, Taillon did dominate the Yankees in New York, with just 1 hit and 2 walks scattered over 8.0 scoreless innings. Given his long-term presence in Chicago, I’ll just be happy to see him right the ship, even if it’s too-little-too-late for this season.
Washington Nationals: Patrick Corbin, LHP
No, Patrick Corbin hasn’t been PATRICK CORBIN since 2019, but he still has the occasional gem. He held the Rangers to one earned run over 7.0 innings his last time out and two games before that, he kept the Mariners scoreless over 7.0 innings. Of course, in-between those beauties, he gave up six earned runs to the Reds (thanks for nothing). Corbin also kept the Cubs to two earned runs over 7.0 IP earlier this season. So take nothing for granted. I don’t know why you would at this point.
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (43-50) vs Washington Nationals (38-56) at 7:05 pm CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
