NEWSLETTER
CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are starting their first NL Central series of the season this afternoon, with three games against the Brewers at Wrigley Field. These two teams are tied for wins in the standings, but the Brewers lead the Cubs in the division by a couple of losses.
It’s too early to scoreboard watch or worry about the standings, but with fewer head-to-head matchups than we’re used to seeing historically, you want the Cubs to take advantage of every opportunity that arises. Especially when it’s a series at home. Here’s a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1 of 3 against the Brewers.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Mike Tauchman, RF
- Ian Happ, LF
- Chris Morel, 3B
- Michael Busch, 1B
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Matt Mervis, DH
- Miguel Amaya, C
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
Craig Counsell is going back to the default Cubs lineup this afternoon, with Nico Hoerner up top, and back at second base, Matt Mervis at DH, and Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field. This group hasn’t been able to produce MUCH this season, but it’s pretty much the most the Cubs can muster right now.
Milwaukee Brewers Lineup:
- Sal Frelick, RF
- William Contreras, C
- Tyler Black, 1B
- Willy Adames, SS
- Jake Bauers, KF
- Rhys Hoskins, DH
- Brice Turang, 2B
- Oliver Dunn, 3B
- Blake Perkins, CF
Pitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Hayden Wesneski, RHP
Hayden Wesneski’s most recent appearance was actually his first start of the season. And it was a bit of a surprise, because he was filling for Jordan Wicks. Even still, he looked pretty good, delivering 4.0 innings of one-run baseball on one walk and three strikeouts against the Red Sox in boston. His fastball velocity was even up a little bit. I still am not quite sure who’s leaving the rotation when Justin Steele comes back, but it’s either Wesneski or Brown. So this is kind of like a mini, in-season pitching competition.
Milwaukee Brewers: Joe Ross, RHP
Joe Ross is not having a great start to the season. So far, he’s had one pretty great outing (6.1 IP, 2ER @CIN), one solid outing (5.1 IP, 1ER @PIT), and three pretty bad starts (combined): 13.1 IP, 12 ER, 10BBs, 12Ks. Let’s hope that’s the Ross that shows up today. The Cubs lineup (and bullpen) could use a breezy win.
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (19-13) vs Milwaukee Brewers (19-11) at 1:20 pm CT – Marquee Sports Network, MLBN, 670 The Score
