CUBS LINEUP โ If the Cubs win today and tomorrow, they’ll finish with one more win than they did last season. #Progress. #Sarcasm. #IsThisKyleHendricksFinalStart? #heresalookatthecubslineupforthesecondofthreegamesagainstthecincinnatireds.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ian Happ, LF
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Cody Bellinger, RF
- Seiya Suzuki, DH
- Michael Busch, 1B
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
- Patrick Wisdom, 3B
- Miguel Amaya, C
After missing a couple of games with a sprained ankle, Seiya Suzuki is back in the Cubs lineup this afternoon. And although Suzuki’s return necessarily booted Kevin Alcantara from the lineup (Suzuki from bench to DH, Busch from DH to 1B, Bellinger from 1B to right field, Alcantara from right field to the bench), I’m happy to see him back out there to finish the season healthy.
Not out there today, however, is Isaac Paredes, who’s sitting in favor of Patrick Wisdom. Wisdom has gotten a good amount of run here at the end of the year, and I don’t really know why. Maybe some extra data points before an upcoming tender decision? I don’t know.
Anyway, Miguel Amaya is behind the plate and that’s that. Go win one for Hendricks, please.
Cincinnati Reds Lineup:
- Jonathan India, 2B
- Elly De La Cruz, SS
- Tyler Stephenson, C
- Spencer Steer, LF
- TJ Friedl, CF
- Ty France, 1B
- Jake Fraley, RF
- Santiago Espinal, 3B
- Noelvi Marte, DH
Pitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Kyle Hendricks, RHP
This afternoon marks the 276th game of Kyle Hendricks’ big league career, all of which have come in a Chicago Cubs uniform. He may very well play again next year, but it’s not likely to be in a Cubs uniform. So enjoy it.
It’s been a solid enough month of September for Kyle Hendricks, who’s earned a 3.92 ERA (3.55 FIP) over four starts and 20.2 IP. He has walked an unusually high number of batters (9) and has not struck out many (16), but he is getting a good amount of grounders (45.2%) and has really limited the hard contact (36.5%). Good luck, Mr. Professor. I hope you go out on top.
Cincinnati Reds: Rhett Lowder, RHP
Rhett Lowder, 22, was the Reds first-round pick in 2023 and became a top-50 prospect in baseball this season. He has already reached the big leagues, pitching to impressive results (1.40 ERA over 25.2 IP). The peripherals aren’t nearly as impressive, however, with plenty of hard contact, a strikeout rate under 20% and a walk rate over 10%. I think the Cubs can get to him today. But he is good. And they always seem to struggle with rookie pitchers.
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (82-78) vs Cincinnati Reds (76-84) at 1:20 pm CT – Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
- Julian Merryweather, RP
- Jordan Wicks, SP
- Jorge Lopez, RP
- Nick Madrigal, IF
- Ben Brown, RP
- Colten Brewer, RP
- Yency Almonte, RP
- Luke Little, RP
- Adbert Alzolay, RP
- Brennen Davis, OF
- Matt McLain, 2B
- Jeimer Candelario, 1B/3B
- Andrew Abbott, SP
- Nick Lodolo, SP
- Sam Moll, RP
- Julian Aguiar, SP
- Tejay Antone, RP
- Graham Ashcraft, SP
- Chrisitian Encarnacion, 1B
- Austin Wynns, C
- Christian Roa, SP
- Stuart Fairchild, OF
- Brandon Williamson, SP