Chicago Cubs Lineup

Chicago Cubs Lineup (9/27/19): Kemp Leads Off Solid Squad, Mills Pitching

Photo of Evan Altman Evan AltmanSeptember 27, 2019

Update: Castellanos was scratched due to groin tightness, so Kemp shifts to right and everyone moves up a spot to accommodate Albert Almora Jr. batting eighth in center.

Joe Maddon doesn’t give a s—t about his lineups anymore, so why should we? Wait, sorry, I was taking his comment out of context there. Maddon simply doesn’t care that his choice to field a backup squad at times could impact the Central race, which is how he should feel.

Though not at all a B-team, it’s a little odd that Tony Kemp is leading off and playing center, rather than having Ben Zobrist in the top spot. Nicholas Castellanos is in right, Zo is at second base, Kyle Schwarber is in left, and Willson Contreras is behind the plate. Then it’s Ian Happ at third, Victor Caratini at first, and Nico Hoerner at short.

They’ll be facing Dakota Hudson, who beat them during last week’s deflating sweep. The 25-year-old is a sinker-baller, throwing the two-seam nearly half the time. The cutter makes up about a quarter of his pitches, with the four-seam and slider comprising the remainder. Oh, he’s also got an occasional change.

Hudson isn’t a big strikeout pitcher and he walks a lot of batters, but he gets out of jams because he stays low in the zone and generates a lot of grounders. Perhaps the Cubs overcome their season-long struggles against those types of pitchers, but this sets up to be a frustrating affair.

Alec Mills has acquitted himself well in a swing role this season and may have a shot at the rotation this season. Look at this as an audition of sorts, since the Cardinals are going to be trying their damnedest to win.

First pitch is at 7:15pm CT on WGN and ESPN 2, with 670 The Score on the radio call. This will be WGN’s final Cubs broadcast. As in, ever. Thanks for everything, Superstation.

Photo of Evan Altman Evan AltmanSeptember 27, 2019
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