NEWSLETTER
CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back in action tonight for the first of three games against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Here’s a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Ian Happ, LF
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Michael Busch, 1B
- Chris Morel, 3B
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Mike Tauchman, RF
- Matt Mervis, DH
- Miguel Amaya, C
It’s a very different look for the Cubs lineup tonight, and not just because Seiya Suzuki is still out. For one, Ian Happ (hamstring) is not only back in the starting lineup, he’s also out there in left field, which is a great sign for a guy with a re-aggravated leg injury. You should immediately notice, however, that he’s not leading off today, Nico Hoerner is.
Given how well Nico has been hitting lately, much of which came out of the leadoff spot while Happ was out, I’m behind this move — at least, for now, while Suzuki is still out. And it’s not like Hoerner isn’t used to leading off; he’s been doing it against lefties even before Happ was hurt and out of the Cubs lineup.
Plus, Happ’s on-base skillset can still play batting second, ahead of the sluggers (Bellinger, Busch, and Morel). Plus, his typically patient plate appearances could give Hoerner a chance to steal an extra base or two. Good move here. I can dig it.
Of course, there’s also a pretty big change at the bottom of the Cubs lineup … Matt Mervis! The Cubs slugging first baseman is back with the team, one of six players on the Cubs roster moving about today, after a really nice start to the year at Triple-A. He’s proven all he can at that level, and it’s time to see if he’s got what it takes up in Chicago. Mervis provides an extra left-handed bat for the Cubs today, too, which is nice.
Houston Astros Lineup:
- Jose Altuve, 2B
- Yordan Alvarez, DH
- Kyle Tucker, RF
- Alex Bregman, 3B
- Yainer Diaz, C
- Jeremy Pena, SS
- Chas McCormick, LF
- Jose Abreu, 1B
- Jake Meyers, CF
Pitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Jordan Wicks, LHP
Jordan Wicks has generally been very good so far this season, throwing harder and earning more whiffs and strikeouts than I think any of us thought was realistically possible. And while he did have a shorter outing his last time out (4.1 IP), it was really just a matter of circumstance – Wicks was lifted at an efficient-enough 74-pitches with one out in the fifth, because Hayden Wesneski had just been called up and was fresh enough to go four innings, himself. So generally speaking, that felt like not just another good, but short start for Wicks. It felt like another step in the right direction.
With that said, he’s definitely got his work cut out for him tonight. For as much as the Astros have struggled to win games, their offense isn’t exactly the problem. And it’s especially not the problem versus left-handed pitchers: .277/.355/.434 (134 wRC+, 3rd best in MLB). So if Wicks has another good start tonight, you can feel especially good about it. If not, you can at least keep the context in mind.
Houston Astros: J.P. France, RHP
J.P. France has made four starts this season, all against really good teams (Yankees, Rangers (x2), and Braves). Unfortunately for him, it’s shown: 7.08 ERA and just a 16.3% strikeout rate. France has been pretty good about limiting the hard contact and barrels, but with that low of a strikeout rate (and a similar rate last season), he’s going to be at the mercy of BABIP. Note, France has been a reverse split guy for his career.
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (13-9) at Houston Astros (7-16) at 6:40 pm CT – Marquee Sports Network, TBS, 670 The Score
