NEWSLETTER
With six in a row, the Cubs have matched their season-high winning streak. And although the Reds present a tougher challenge than either the Twins or the Pirates, the Cubs have some advantages: (1) these games are at Wrigley, (2) the Cubs have a few really hot hitters at the moment, (3) Willson Contreras is back, and (4) Justin Steele (a lefty) is on the mound against a Reds team that really hates facing lefties. Here’s the lineup for the opener against the Reds.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Rafael Ortega, CF
2. Frank Schwindel, 1B
3. Ian Happ, LF
4. Willson Contreras, C
5. Patrick Wisdom, 3B
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. Matt Duffy, 2B
8. Sergio Alcantara, SS
9. Justin Steele, P
Sonny Gray is starting for the Reds today, and he handled the Cubs pretty easily back in early July (8 strikeouts, 1 walk, and no earned runs over 5.0 innings pitched). Of course, he didn’t have to face Frank The Tank or the rest of the new-look Chicago Cubs back in July, so he’s obviously doomed today.
As for the lineup, it’s a pretty standard one for the Cubs today, which stinks because that means Michael Hermosillo is not starting regularly. The horse we’re beating is more than dead.
As usual, we’ll have your full Pre-Gamin’ post closer to game time (1:20 CT).
Sonny Gray:
