Pregame: Cubs @ Dbacks, Lackey Pitching – 8:40 CDT

The Cubs, coming off an explosive opening series sweep of the Angels, play the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight at Chase Field at 8:40 CDT. The game will be televised on CSN+.

Ben Zobrist again gets shifted around in the lineup to the number three spot. He doesn’t traditionally have a lot of power so it’ll be interesting to see how this version of the lineup performs tonight. The matchup should be favorable since he will hit from the left side going up against the righty and let’s not forget that batting right behind him is the nuclear trio of Rizzo, Bryant and Schwarber, so the Dbacks are going to have to give Zobrist some pitches to hit.

Also of note, Joe Maddon is starting the season off with the pitcher hitting ninth. This is a departure from Joe’s approach last year when the pitcher hit eighth for most of the season.

Here’s tonight’s lineup:

John Lackey (R) @ Diamondbacks – Rubby De La Rosa (R)
1. Dexter Fowler (S) CF
2. Jason Heyward (L) RF
3. Ben Zobrist (S) 2B
4. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
5. Kris Bryant (R) 3B
6. Kyle Schwarber (L) LF
7. Miguel Montero (L) C
8. Addison Russell (R) SS
9. John Lackey (R) P

Back to top button