Well, yes, just about everything sucked Thursday (from the loss, to the boredom, to the weather). But the sun is shining today, the Cubs have two more strokes to win this VERY winning series against the Pirates, and … JAKE FREAKIN ‘ARRIETA starts for the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Come on, here’s enough to like. Let’s forget about the opener and try again.
Chicago Cubs lineup:
Willson Contreras, C
2. Kris Bryant, 3B
Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Javy Baez, SS
Joc Pederson, LF
Jake Marisnick, CF
Jason Heyward, RF
David Bote, 2B
Jake Arrieta, P
The Cubs are facing their first left-hand season today, but Tyler Anderson, 31, doesn’t really have a crazy split. In fact, he is exactly neutral for his career, with a .344 wOBA against both left and right. And in fact, he had very strong reverse splits last season:
v. LHH: .309 / .364 / .500 (.365 wOBA)
v. RHH: .233 / .324 / .371 (.308 wOBA)
And that makes today a great day for Joc Pederson to start.
Remember, the Cubs promise Pederson’s left – handed hitting a good, long look against leftists (at least to start the year), despite many outspoken careers. And a split-neutral, soft-throw, reverse-split-in-2020 south leg like Anderson is as good as it gets. I’m glad he’s in there and gets his chance.
… However, what I do not fully understand is why Ian Happ is out.
Happ hit left-handers well last season (100 wRC +) and he will have to develop half of his game against the big league if he is to be the Cubs’ everyday leader in the long run, which is definitely the idea. And, again, Anderson is the * exact * kind of left to be present, because he’s not very difficult for anyone. So I do not really know if I get it.
Yes, Jake Marisnick was brought in to help against leftists because he crushed him and I * expected * to replace this season exactly with the season, but that’s the second thing? Ian Happ is the everyday midfielder and switch. He must be here against this non-sticky south leg. Not because Marisnick does not give them a good chance * today *, but because Happ’s game against the left is more important in the long run (and also not half bad).
Another thought: David Ross liked to keep his lineup * very * predictable and stable last season, so I have to wonder if this is most of the time our default lineup against the left. I would be surprised if that is the case, but then I am surprised again now.
We will have your full pre-Gamin message closer to playing time (1:20 CT).
The top three player props for Pirates Cubs.