Finally! After an uneasily long break line-up, the Cubs are back in action against the Indians tonight. And David Ross has a new lineup for us against Adam Plutko.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Kris Bryant, 3B
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Javy Baez, SS
4. Kyle Schwarber, LF
5. Willson Contreras, C
6. Ian Happ, CF.
7. Jason Heyward, RF
8. Victor Caratini, DH
9. Jason Kipnis, 2B
After declaring Ian Happ the full-time center fielder, David Ross places his money where his mouth is, and moves Happ back into the lineup (from 9th to 6th). The sixth place in the sequence, previously reserved for Jason Heyward, has been part of the consistently, every day group, so this is pretty remarkable. For today, Happ had mostly just round 8th and 9th bounces.
There will always be (legitimate) worries about moving a man just like he apparently invented things, but Happ (.297 / .409 / .622; 181 wRC +) is literally the best hitter on the Cubs this season and is the 14th most productive attacking player in MLB. Continuing to hide him in 9th place was unnecessarily reducing his chances (he has 9-11 fewer record appearances through just 13 games than Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez, and Kyle Schwarber, for example).
Otherwise I will state that Jason Kipnis, not Nico Hoerner, is there against the judge, Plutko, who I think is something we might start to see a little more often.
As usual, we will have your full Pre-Gamin ‘post closer to game time (6:10 CT).
