Chicago Cubs Lineup: Soler Returns, Baez at 3rd, Bryant in Left Field

Jorge Soler makes his return to the Chicago Cubs (66-41) lineup after being out two months after he injured his hamstring in a game against the Phillies on June 6. He’ll be batting sixth tonight as the designated hitter for the Cubs as they take on the Oakland Athletics (48-60).

Jon Lester (11-4, 2.95 ERA) takes the ball tonight for the Cubs and will bat ninth in the lineup. Lester was solid in his last outing against the Mariners, when he pitched six scoreless innings to earn the win. He’s coming off a bit of a rough patch where he’d given up 18 earned runs over four games – good for a 10.13 ERA. Hopefully he can build off his last start and get a little hot streak going.

Javier Baez will be batting eighth and playing the hot corner tonight. That pushes Kris Bryant to left field. When Bryant plays left field he’s batting .296, which is his highest average at any position.

Friday 8/5 9:05pm CSN+
Jon Lester (L)
@ Athletics – Dillon Overton (L)
1. Dexter Fowler (S) CF
2. Kris Bryant (R) LF
3. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
4. Ben Zobrist (S) 2B
5. Addison Russell (R) SS
6. Jorge Soler (R) DH
7. Jason Heyward (L) RF
8. Javier Baez (R) 3B
9. David Ross (R) C