NEWSLETTER
Cubs Lineup — The way I see it, the Cubs really needed to win at least two of these games against the Reds this week to avoid falling flat on their face after the deadline (especially with the Braves looming over the weekend). So far, they’ve split the first two games, which means we’re half-way there. Drew Smyly is on the bump tonight, and this is the Cubs lineup that’ll stand behind him.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Chris Morel, DH
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Ian Happ, LF
- Yan Gomes, C
- Seiya Suzuki, RF
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
- Patrick Wisdom, 1B
Can you tell the Reds are starting a lefty this evening? We’ve got Nico Hoerner atop the lineup, with Mike Tauchman on the bench. We’ve got Chris Morel batting second. And we’ve got Patrick Wisdom (who was suspiciously not in the lineup against a couple of lefties just before the Trade Deadline … maybe the Cubs were floating him in trade talks?) back in there, batting ninth, playing first base.
We’ve also got a bit of an answer on how the Cubs will attack left-handed pitching in a world with Jeimer Candelario, playing third, and without Trey Mancini.
And I think this all tracks. Madrigal hasn’t been great against left-handed pitching this season, Wisdom has shown at least some signs of life lately, and you’re not going to sit Candelario, a switch-hitter, even if this is the weaker side of his splits. The Cubs don’t have to play this way against every single lefty, but it does feel like the default setting, at least while we see if Wisdom can keep some of the versus lefties magic alive.
You’ll also note Seiya Suzuki back in there in right field after getting the night off yesterday. I still don’t think we’re going to see him in a strict platoon with Mike Tauchman, but I guess we’ll see how the Cubs want to play that day-by-day.
Cincinnati Reds Lineup:
- Kevin Neman, 2B
- Nick Senzel, 3B
- Matt McLain, SS
- Spencer Steer, LF
- Christian Encarnacion-Strand, DH
- Joey Votto, 1B
- Tyler Stephenson, C
- Stuart Fairchild, CF
- Will Benson, RF
Pitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Drew Smyly, LHP
Drew Smyly has appeared on regular rest twice since his last actual “start” on July 17 against the Nationals, but he entered both games out of the pen. I think part of the thinking there was all about Smyly and giving him a break. But both starts were also against the Cardinals, who are quite strong against left-handed pitching this season (109 wRC+).
Cincinnati Reds: Brandon Williamson, LHP
Brandon Williamson has pretty significant lefty/righty splits this season, with righties hitting him far better than lefties (.349 wOBA vs. .282 wOBA). The Cubs faced Williamson once earlier this season, and they bounced him after 4.1 innings with a 4-spot to his name. A repeat of that would be very welcomed tonight. Note, however, that he’s kind of on a roll, with three solid starts against the Giants, Diamondbacks, and Dodgers: 17.2 IP, 15H, 5ER, 8BB, 10K. I doubt the 89.1% strand rate he’s enjoyed during that stretch is sustainable (especially with a 14.5 K% and 32% groundball rate), but he manages contact well enough beyond that. Don’t take it for granted. Score early, score often, especially with Drew Smyly back on the mound tonight.
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (54-53) vs Cincinnati Reds (59-50) at 7:05 pm CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
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