CUBS LINEUP โ The Cubs scored a bajillion runs last night at PNC Park, but one guy nearly missed out on all the fun. And that guy is getting the day off tonight, with some pieces moving around to accommodate.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ian Happ, LF
- Mike Tauchman, RF
- Seiya Suzuki, DH
- Cody Bellinger, 1B
- Isaac Paredes, 3B
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
- Miguel Amaya, C
Michael Busch (1-7, 2Ks yesterday) hasn’t quite looked comfortable at the plate for a couple of weeks now, slashing .178/.260/.244 over his last 50 PAs. So giving him a breather tonight against Jared Jones makes plenty of sense to me.
Cody Bellinger is taking over for him at first base, with Mike Tauchman entering the Cubs lineup and playing right field.
Seiya Suzuki remains at DH and everyone else is in their usual spot. No bump up for PCA (or Miguel Amaya) yet.
Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup:
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS
- Bryan Reynolds, LF
- Nick Gonzales, 2B
- Oneil Cruz, DH
- Connor Joe, 1B
- Bryan De La Cruz, RF
- Jared Triolo, 3B
- Michael A. Taylor, CF
- Henry Davis, C
Pitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Justin Steele, LHP
Justin Steele had a weird little stretch where he was walking too many guys and not really being productive, but he’s put that behind him. Over his last three (and a half) starts, including the rain delay, he’s allowed just 4ER (1.66 ERA) with 27 strikeouts and 5 walks in 21.2 IP. He was particularly impressive in his last start, striking out 10 Tigers with no walks. More of that tonight, please. The Pirates (95 wRC+, 21st in MLB) have not been especially good against left-handers so far this season, for whatever that’s worth to you.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Jared Jones, RHP
Because of Paul Skenes doing ridiculous things on the mound, Jared Jones has very much been the “other” young Pirates starter this season. But that’s really selling him short. Jones, 23, started 16 games from Opening Day until July 3, earning a 3.56 ERA with a 26.4% strikeout rate, a 7.3% walk rate, and a .218 AVG against. He also tossed back-to-back quality starts against the Cubs in May, combining for 11 strikeouts and 2 walks over 12.0 IP. At least they should have some familiarity with them now though, right? The bigger story here, though, is that Jones has been on the Injured List (right lat strain) since July 4 and is only just returning to the big leagues tonight.
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (66-66) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (62-69) at 5:40 pm CT – Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
- Tomรกs Nido, C
- Hayden Wesneski, SP
- Ben Brown, RP
- Jordan Wicks, SP
- Colten Brewer, RP
- Yency Almonte, RP
- Luke Little, RP
- Adbert Alzolay, RP
- Nick Gonzales, 2B
- Andrew McCutchen, DH
- Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
- Jared Jones, SP
- Carmen Mlodzinkski, RP
- Colin Holderman, RP
- Johan Oviedo, SP
- Endy Rodriguez, C
- Dauri Moreta, SP
- Ryan Borucki, RP
- Daulton Jefferies, RP
- Marco Gonzales, SP
- Hunter Stratton, RP