Pregame Chatter: Cubs v. Mets – Game 2; Fowler Update – 3:05 CDT

The Cubs will take on the Mets at Cashman Field today at 3:05 CDT. Jason Hammel is set to pitch for the Cubs in his final warm up before the regular season. In an interesting twist by Joe Maddon, he’s slotted Kris Bryant into the lead-off spot for the Cubs today. That’ll be fun.

Dexter Fowler is out of the lineup once again today. You may recall that Fowler left the game against the Mariners on Sunday, March 27th, with what was described at mild tightness in his side. All the recent news reports on him have been positive and  he’s just being held out for precautionary reasons. Per Jesse Rogers @ESPNChiCubs, he should be back in the lineup for the Cubs final exhibition game on Sunday.

Dexter Fowler taking one more day off plus off day tomorrow. Will play Sunday, 3-4 AB’s.

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) April 1, 2016

Here’s today starting lineup for the Cubs:

Jason Hammel (R) vs. Mets – Steven Matz (L)
1. Kris Bryant (R) 3B
2. Jason Heyward (L) RF
3. Ben Zobrist (S) 2B
4. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
5. Jorge Soler (R) LF
6. Kyle Schwarber (L) C
7. Addison Russell (R) SS
8. Matt Szczur (R) CF
9. Jason Hammel (R) P