Chicago Cubs Lineup

Chicago Cubs Lineup (6/4/24): Hoerner Leads Off, Bellinger in RF, Imanaga Starting

Photo of Evan Altman Evan AltmanJune 4, 2024

Man, the Cubs are a grease fire right now and every time it looks like they’re about to sprinkle a little baking soda on it, they opt for water instead. They have now lost six straight series heading into this two-game set with the White Sox, losers of 11 straight and one of the few teams playing worse than the Cubs. This series will either cure the Cubs’ ills or deepen them. Unless they split, which is a very real possibility.

Having Shōta Imanaga going in game one should give the home team a decided advantage, though he was shelled his last time out against the Brewers. He’s been better than anyone expected and should get back on track tonight to some extent. He was never going to maintain a sub-1.00 ERA and probably won’t stay around his current 1.86, but that stinker in Milwaukee was an aberration.

Now if only the bats can prove the last month or so has been a fluke. Nico Hoerner appears to be finding a groove again and he’s back in the leadoff spot. Seiya Suzuki serves as the DH, Cody Bellinger is in right, Christopher Morel is at third as he attempts to battle the bad luck that’s plagued him for more than a month, and Ian Happ is in left. Michael Busch is at first, Dansby Swanson is at short, Pete Crow-Armstrong is in center, and Miguel Amaya is behind the plate.

They’re facing Chris Flexen, one of several White Sox pitchers who might be able to help them out of their funk. He doesn’t put up big strikeout numbers, he’s close to a double-digit walk rate, and the fastball he throws nearly 40% of the time doesn’t fool anyone. Flexen has a lot of cut on his 91 mph four-seam, which is why his 87 mph cutter works well. That’s his best pitch by far, though the curve and slider are decent.

This guy is still a big league pitcher and he’s capable of putting together a very strong outing, which he’s done once or twice this season, but the Cubs should be able to get over on him. That said, they’re not playing well enough to merit additional analysis at this point. Maybe they’ll get more coverage if they start winning again.

First pitch is at 7:05pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.

Photo of Evan Altman Evan AltmanJune 4, 2024
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