Chicago Cubs Lineup (7/21/24): Tauchman in RF, Imanaga Starting
The Cubs have stumbled out of the gate with two lackluster losses out of the All-Star Break and they’re now 4.5 games out of the Wild Card, yet they’re still 6-4 over their last 10. As hard as it is for most of us to scrape together much hope for the rest of the way outside of wanting to see some prospects get their respective shots, the possibility of putting together a run is just strong enough to keep some of you interested. A sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks might turn those small flames into dying embers.
On the bump for the home team is Mike Imanaga II, the Cubs’ lone representative in the Midsummer Classic. He hasn’t faced Arizona yet and will be plenty rested, so we’ll see whether and how a long break and lack of familiarity works for him.
Nico Hoerner will lead things off at second base yet again, then it’s Michael Busch at first and Seiya Suzuki as the DH. Ian Happ is in left, Christopher Morel is at third, Mike Tauchman is in right, and Dansby Swanson is at short. Tomas Nido is the catcher and Pete Crow-Armstrong is in center.
They’re up against Brandon Pfaadt, a second-year righty who is making his third career start and fourth overall appearance against the Cubs. He’s handled them easily in those games, striking out 16 against just two walks while letting up only six earned runs over 18.1 innings. He’s surrendered four homers, however, and may be susceptible to more of the same this afternoon.
Pfaadt’s four-seam has been his been his best pitch by far as he locates it middle up and slightly to the arm side to keep right-handed hitters at bay. Lefties have been much better, carrying a .294 average and .333 wOBA into this contest. Those numbers are even better when Pfaadt is the visiting starter, so perhaps the Cubs can get something done against him from the left side.
First pitch is at 1:20pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.
Here is today’s #Cubs starting lineup for the series finale against the Diamondbacks.
Tune in: https://t.co/Gs2hZXyTjH pic.twitter.com/oFmJZRLQiv
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 21, 2024