Chicago Cubs Lineup (2/23/25): Happ Leads Off, Tucker DH, Rea Starting
The Cubs are still the best team in baseball heading into Sunday’s action against the Rangers at Sloan Park. After slogging through a sloppy defense of their 2023 World Series title, Texas has an even steeper uphill climb this season. That’s because Travis Jankowski, the hero of their Opening Day victory over the Cubs last season with his lone homer of the year, is now on the right side of this nonexistent rivalry. Jed’s league.
Ian Happ leads this one off in left with Kyle Tucker making his spring debut as the DH. Seiya Suzuki is in right, Dansby Swanson is the shortstop, Pete Crow-Armstrong is in center, and Vidal Bruján plays second. Jonathon Long is at first, Carlos Pérez is the catcher, and B.J. Murray is at third.
On the mound for the home team is former and current Cubs great Colin Rea, who figures to slot in as a swingman or long reliever if all else goes to plan with the rotation. Rea has spent the last few years in Milwaukee after pitching briefly for the Cubs in 2020, and he’s been pretty much average-ish on the whole. Solid veteran to have on the staff.
Going for the Rangers is lefty Cody Bradford, who was drafted in the sixth round in 2019 and given a massively over-slot bonus of $700,000 despite missing most of his junior season at Baylor following thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. He obviously didn’t pitch professionally that year and then missed 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season, but he rose quickly through the system and debuted with the Rangers in 2023.
A big-time strike-thrower, Bradford looks like a solid mid-rotation option moving forward. He’s an old-school finesse guy who barely touches 90 mph with his fastball but has an excellent changeup that keeps hitters honest.
First pitch is at 2:05 on Marquee and 670 The Score.
Sunday Funday at @SloanParkMesa!
Tune in: https://t.co/Gs2hZXyTjH pic.twitter.com/k6tElfuQOZ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 23, 2025
