Chicago Cubs Lineup: Schwarber Leading Off, Jay in CF as Castro Returns to Wrigley

I have to say, even as someone who was happy about the Jon Jay deal, I never would’ve imagined him doing as well as he has. With a hot bat you can’t keep out of the lineup, Jay is once again playing center and holding down the bottom of the order.

It’s pretty much status quo from there on out, as Kyle Schwarber is back in the leadoff spot and playing left. He’s followed by Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, and…well, you know the rest of them by now, right?

Kyle Hendricks will take the bump to oppose a Bronx Bombers lineup that boasts the monstrous Aaron Judge and a slugging second baseman named Starlin Castro. It’s strange enough to see Castro in the wrong pinstripes, watching him play at Wrigley wearing No. 14 might be full-on surreal.

Opposing the Cubs will be tall righty Michael Pineda, another reason for Jay’s start. Actually, Pineda’s stats are pretty even in terms of platoon splits. The Cubs will definitely have their hands full, as he is a big-time strike-thrower (11.62 K/9, only 1.26 BB/9) who doesn’t afford opponents much leeway.

First pitch is at 1:20 CT and will be carried by CSN Chicago for local viewers and MLB Network for those around the country. At least, those outside of the way-too-big blackout region set for the Cubs.