Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/31/24): Cubs Look to Salvage Series in Texas with Wicks on Hill

The Chicago Cubs have certainly not started the season on a high note. They lost their ace, Justin Steele, on opening day to a hamstring strain. On Saturday, they got ambushed in an offensive onslaught in which RHP Ben Brown made his MLB debut, giving up six runs in 1.2 innings pitched.

Today, the Cubs will attempt to salvage the series by winning the final game of the three-game set before heading home to a dreary forecast that feels oddly appropriate.

Jordan Wicks will be making his first start of the season today, hoping to stop the bleeding against the all-world offense of the Texas Rangers. Wicks posted a 4.41 ERA over 34.2 innings pitched in his rookie campaign of 2023 and leans heavily on his fastball/changeup combination to keep hitters off balance while sprinkling in a cutter, curve, and slider.

Ian Happ leads off today for the Cubs at DH, followed by Seiya Suzuki in right, Cody Bellinger in center, Christopher Morel at third, Dansby Swanson at short, and Michael Busch at first. Nico Hoerner bats seventh playing second, Mike Tauchman follows in left, and Miguel Amaya rounds out the order behind the dish.

First pitch is set for 1:35pm on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.

Here is today's #Cubs starting lineup for the series finale vs. the Rangers.

Tune in: https://t.co/Gs2hZXyTjH pic.twitter.com/SwF3Tw9wOr

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 31, 2024