The Cubs are riding a three-game winning streak and just recovered Kris Bryant for Kyle Hendrick’s second start to the year. This is how David Ross will line them up against Sonny Gray and the Reds in Game 3 of the series.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Kris Bryant, 3B
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
3. Javy Baez, SS
4. Kyle Schwarber, LF
5. Willson Contreras, C
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. Ian Happ, CF
8. Victor Caratini, DH
9. Nico Hoerner, 2B
After sitting out of the starting lineup yesterday with a sore left elbow, Kris Bryant is back there at third base and leading tonight. He hasn’t clicked on a game at the plate this season yet, but his defense has been strong and if he feels better, he might be ready to turn a corner (not that he’s having a particularly nice showdown with Gray on the mound).
In fact, historically, none of the Cubs 1-6 tonight has been very successful against Gray.
Order of Top of Cubs v. Gray
Bryant: 2-15, 1HR, 1BB, 3Ks
Rizzo 0-7, 1BB, 2Ks
Baez 1-10, 6Ks
Schwarber: 3-11, 3Ls
Contreras: 1-8, 2Ks
Heyward 1-16, HR, 5Ks
In any case, Willson Contreras is also back there behind the plate after a regular night scheduled last night, and Victor Caratini continues to DH. Ian Happ also goes up in the lineup, while Nico Hoerner goes down.
Overall, the Cubs’ top of the order has remained more or less identical for the first 6 games of the year, with most changes in catcher, second base, DH, and the last three places in order ( although even that has been largely the exchange points of Contreras and Caratini and mainly Hoerner in 2B). Fans of a consistent lineup rejoice. This is what you have been asking for.
As usual, we’ll get your full Pre-Gamin post closer to game time (5:40 CT).
