NEWSLETTER
*The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we’ve got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out this FRIDAY 1:20 alternate from our friends at OBVIOUS SHIRTS.
CUBS LINEUP — The wonky Chicago weather washed away the opener last night, but we’ve got clear skies today for a Friday 1:20 start. Let’s hope Jameson Taillon (making his 2024 debut) didn’t get iced like a kicker sweating a timeout before a big field goal. Here’s a look at the Cubs lineup for the delayed opener in Chicago.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Patrick Wisdom, RF
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Chris Morel, DH
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Ian Happ, LF
- Garrett Cooper, 1B
- Nick Madrigal, 3B
- Miguel Amaya, C
A.J. Puk (starting for Miami this afternoon) is the first of three left-handed starters the Cubs lineup were scheduled to face this weekend. And he’s also the toughest of the three on fellow lefties for his career:
vsLHH: .202/.277/.326 (.271 wOBA)
vsRHH: .258/.341/.416 (.328 wOBA)
Against Puk, lefties are striking out 32.6% of the time (compared to 25.3% for righties), while righties are walking at twice the clip. And it doesn’t end there – lefties hit more grounders, make more weak contact, whiff more, pop-up more, so on and so forth. All of which is to say … I’m not particularly surprised to see Craig Counsell load the Cubs lineup with righties.
That means Patrick Wisdom in right field, batting second. That means Garrett Cooper at first base for Michael Busch. And that means Alexander Can…nope! Nick Madrigal at third base with Chris Morel at third.
The Cubs COULD have put Morel at third and opened up DH for Canario (or even started Canario in right and Wisdom at DH). But that’s not the route they went. I have no idea why. I do suspect we’ll see Canario make AT LEAST one start this weekend, though. And with a double-header on tap tomorrow, everyone is going to get some play. But yeah, no Canario this time.
With Ian Happ switch-hitting, Cody Bellinger is the only lefty in the Cubs lineup.
Miami Marlins Lineup:
- Luis Arraez, 2B
- Bryan De La Cruz, DH
- Jazz Chisholm Jr., CF
- Josh Bell, 1B
- Jesus Sanchez, RF
- Tim Anderson, SS
- Nick Gordon, LF
- Emmanuel Rivera, 3B
- Nick Fortes, C
Pitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP
Jameson Taillon is set to make his 2024 MLB debut today at home against the Marlins. He missed all of spring training and the start of the season with a strained lower back, and began his rehab assignment back on April 7. After just two starts, he’s back up in Chicago, where he’ll look to build on a strong second-half of the season last year. Last 15 starts of 2023: 90.2 IP, 81K, 21BB, 34 ER (3.38 ERA). The Cubs could especially use that kind of average innings/game right now, with the way the bullpen has been used (and is struggling).
Miami Marlins: A.J. Puk, LHP
A.J. Puk has made three starts so far this season (Pirates, Angels, Yankees), and not one has been impressive. Combined, he’s allowed 10 runs (7ER) in 10.2 IP, with nearly twice as many walks (14) as strikeouts (8). As a matter of fact, his 24.1% walk rate is highest in MLB among all pitchers with at least 10.0 IP on the year. So … I guess patience is the name of the game.
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (11-7) at Miami Marlins (4-15) at 1:20 pm CT – Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
