Chicago Cubs Lineup (8/21/21): Ortega Leads Off, Hermosillo in LF, Thompson Makes Second MLB Start
The Cubs will try to get back in the win column with Rafael Ortega leading off and playing center. He’s been terrible against lefties this season, but maybe he can turn that around this afternoon. Frank Schwindel bats second at first, Patrick Wisdom is at third, and Matt Duffy cleans up as the shortstop.
David Bote is at second, Jason Heyward is in right, Robinson Chirinos is the catcher, and Michael Hermosillo gets the start in left. Hermosillo, a lifelong Cubs fan, should really be out there everyday even if only to bring a little more excitement to each game.
Given his 26 relief appearances and the fact that he was optioned to Iowa to stretch back out as a starter, you’ll be forgiven for thinking this is Keegan Thompson’s first MLB start. He actually started against the Dodgers back on May 4 in the second game of the doubleheader the Cubs swept. Of course, Thompson was starting strictly because it was supposed to be a 7-inning affair before it ended up going to extras with Bote supplying a walk-off homer to win.
What a great day that was, huh? Thompson went 3.2 innings with no runs allowed on two hits and two walks while striking out two. It was a very solid effort that could portend things to come. The 26-year-old righty has allowed just 10 earned runs in 40.2 innings, though he’s allowed seven homers in that time. Avoiding the longball will be key, especially if his walk rate remains around the 12.6% mark he’s put up so far.
On the mound for KC is Kris Bubic, whose name sounds like Jesse Pinkman is heckling him or maybe like what happens when a woman is wearing an uncomfortable bra. Thank you, I’ll be here all night. The 24-year-old southpaw actually faced the Cubs last year because the Central divisions matched up in the Franken-season, but he’s not quite facing the same lineup.
To wit, all four of the hitters atop the Cubs’ batting order that day have been traded and another was non-tendered. None of the Cubs’ three pitchers from that game are with the organization either. Yeesh.
In any case, Bubic went six innings of four-hit ball, striking out six and walking two but wearing the loss because Yu Darvish allowed just one run in seven innings. Bubic has a low-90’s fastball that he throws about 50% of the time, then he’ll throw the change at 33%, and a curve for the rest.
Judging from his 5.09 ERA, a lot of walks, and way more homers than Mike Matheny would prefer, none of those offerings are particularly effective. That’s what we thought about Brad Keller yesterday, though, and look how that worked out.
First pitch is at 1:20pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.
Here is today's #Cubs starting lineup at Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/cg1DwP14od
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 21, 2021
