(Kris Bryant is scratched. Post with details to come, new lineup below).
The Chicago Cubs begin a brand new series tonight – four against the Brewers at Wrigley Field – and they will see lefty Brett Anderson in Game 1. Here’s how David Ross raised his Cubs for the opener.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Kris Bryant, LF Nico Hoerner, 2B
2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Javy Baez, SS
4. Willson Contreras, DH
5. Kyle Schwarber, LF (replacement for Bryant)
6. Ian Happ, CF.
7. David Bote, 3B
8. Steven Souza Jr., RF
9. Victor Caratini, C.
For his career, Brett Anderson has actually done reverse splits (lefties hit him just better than righties), but he has made this and last season (32) almost more starts than he did in the three years before (33). And I bring that up, because last year right closed at .280 / .329 / .441 against Anderson, while lefts closed at .221 / .280 / .308. So in all likelihood, this one is the pitcher he is today, which helps explain the lineup with straight loads.
In fact, take a look at that group. The only left-handed bat is Anthony Rizzo (Ian Happ and Victor Caratini are both switch-hitters, but both will hit from the right side of the plate tonight). That’s pretty atypical for a Cubs team that could easily overload any lineup with left-handed hitters.
UPDATE: Of course, Rizzo is no longer the only lefty, with Kyle Schwarber coming to replace Bryant.
A few other notes: Albert Almora Jr. is not back in the lineup tonight, and is effectively closing the case on whether he will still make it regularly starts against left-handed pitchers. And Brett Anderson has been an EXTREME baseball pitcher for most of his career, especially this season (69.2%). Hopefully the Cubs can exalt, otherwise they can be the mercy of the BABIP gods.
Of course, Yu Darvish will dominate, of course, so maybe it does not matter.
As usual we will have your full Pre-Gamin ‘post closer to game time (6:15 CT).
