Chicago Cubs Lineup

Chicago Cubs Lineup (8/14/24): Taillon Leading Series Salvage Effort

Photo of Evan Altman Evan AltmanAugust 14, 2024

I just got off a plane and there are other topics awaiting my attention, so let’s skip all the fluff and get right down to it. After playing really well for about two weeks, the Cubs got back to their MO from earlier in the season by dropping back-to-back one-run games in Cleveland. They’ll need a win tonight to keep the gravedigger from firing up his backhoe.

Jameson Taillon has been very shaky in two of his last three starts, the first of which came on the eve of the trade deadline with rumors swirling. And even though he was credited with a win against the White Sox after getting seven early runs of support, giving up five scores on nine hits over five innings against the worst team we’ve ever seen was disappointing. The Guardians are much better, so Taillon has to be on point.

Not that it matters if the offense sputters to a single tally again. Craig Counsell has found himself a combination he likes, so you can probably name this order without looking at it. Ian Happ leads off in left, Michael Busch is at first, Seiya Suzuki is in right, and Cody Bellinger is the DH. Those latter two are likely to switch once Bellinger’s finger is healed enough to resume playing in the field.

Isaac Paredes is at third, Nico Hoerner is at second, Dansby Swanson is the shortstop, and Pete Crow-Armstrong patrols center. Miguel Amaya is behind the plate batting ninth as he assumes a lion’s share of the reps now that his bat is working again.

They’re facing another veteran journeyman in this one, as 36-year-old Alex Cobb makes just his second appearance of the season. He underwent surgery on his left hip last winter to address chronic issues with his labrum, but the Giants still exercised his $10 million option for 2024. Cobb then experienced shoulder inflammation during his rehab and was placed on the 60-day IL, where he remained when he was traded to the Guardians at the deadline.

He made six rehab starts in San Francisco’s organization and one for Cleveland before being activated last week, then he gave up four earned runs on nine hits in his first MLB action of the year. The righty struck out one and walked another, leaning as usual on a sinker/splitter combo. Cobb also has a knuckle curve that he typically throws around 15% of the time.

His fastball velocity is still in the mid-90s, which is where it’s been since he signed with the Giants in 2022. In the 11 years prior, he never sat even as high as 93 mph. If the rust is still evident, the Cubs have an excellent chance to sneak out of Cleveland with a win. But seeing how poorly they’ve fared against pitchers who don’t look tough on paper, I’m not holding my breath.

First pitch is at 5:40pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.

Photo of Evan Altman Evan AltmanAugust 14, 2024
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