NEWSLETTER
CUBS LINEUP — With Dylan Cease scheduled to pitch for the Padres in the finale tomorrow, the Cubs are really going to want to take this game tonight. Fortunately, they have Shota Imanaga on the mound … and CODY BELLINGER BACK IN THE LINEUP! Here’s a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 2 against the Padres at Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Mike Tauchman, RF
- Cody Bellinger, DH
- Chris Morel, 3B
- Ian Happ, LF
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Michael Busch, 1B
- Miguel Amaya, C
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
Like I said earlier today, the Cubs lineup really won’t face any meaningful decision points until Seiya Suzuki returns. But even then, you’re likely to just see Pete Crow-Armstrong head back to the bench (or Iowa), with Bellinger recapturing center field and Mike Tauchman either in right field or DH.
In fact, we know the plan is for Bellinger to DH the next few days, at least, as he eases his way back in. And after that, I suspect the Cubs will do the same with Suzuki. So Tauchman is probably starting in the outfield for a little while yet.
And even after that, when everyone is back, Tauchman will likely stay in the lineup at DH and also give full or half-days of rest to Happ, Bellinger, and Suzuki, perhaps only truly sitting out when there’s a lefty on the mound.
In any case, Bellinger is back tonight, batting third as the designated hitter. That move pushes Ian Happ down to fifth and Michael Busch all the way down to seventh. Gotta balance out all those lefties somehow.
San Diego Padres Lineup:
- Jurickson Profar, LF
- Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
- Jake Cronenworth, 1B
- Manny Machado, DH
- Xander Bogaerts, 2B
- Donovan Solano, 3B
- Ha-Seong Kim, SS
- Jose Azocar, CF
- Kyle Higashioka, C
Pitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Shota Imanaga, LHP
How long can Shota Imanaga keep it up? I have no idea, but he seems to be getting better every time he’s out there. For example, over his last three starts, Imanaga has tossed a combined 19.1 IP with 19 strikeouts and just two walks. And he’s allowed just a total of 3 earned runs this season. As a reminder, the Padres are struggling against left-handers this season (92 wRC+, 20th), so that should work in Imanaga’s favor. Let’s just hope the Wrigley Field wind isn’t blowing out too significantly come game time.
San Diego Padres: Randy Vázquez, RHP
Randy Vázquez was a top-10 organizational prospect with the Yankees before coming over to San Diego in the Juan Soto trade this offseason. He began this season in Triple-A, making four starts in which he allowed 14 earned runs in 15.0 IP. Lefties have hit Vázquez a lot better than righties in his short Major League career (45.1 IP), slashing .253/.352/.520 (.373 wOBA). So this would be a good night for Ian Happ and Michael Busch to come out swinging and leave those slumps behind. Also nice to have Bellinger back, tonight.
Broadcast Info:
