Chicago Cubs Lineup: Hendricks Looks to Master High Altitude, Baez At 2nd, Soler in Right

The Chicago Cubs (77-43) open up their series against the Colorado Rockies (58-63) today at Coors Field in the high altitude of Denver, Colorado. Things have a tendency to turn whacky in Denver so it’s going to be interesting to see how the Cubs offense fares. My guess, if I had to make one, is that the boys in blue are going to be scoring a lot of runs over the next three games, but that’s really not much different than normal, right?

Kyle Hendricks (11-7, 2.19 ERA) will take the hill today for the Cubs. If he’s able to get past the game tonight and maintain his ERA at or near it’s current level it will mean the Cubs most likely will get the win. On the other hand, if things get wild then that ERA – the second lowest in the league behind only Clayton Kershaw – could see a bump up.

Joe Maddon has moved the outfield around a bit today, with Dexter Fowler back in the lineup after a day off on Thursday, Jorge Soler back in, in right field, and Matt Szczur – who’s been tearing the cover off the ball so far in August slashing .375/.464/.750 – out in left field.

Javy Baez is in today at second base, covering for Ben Zobrist who gets a rest.