Chicago Cubs Lineup (9/7/21): Contreras Leads Off, Bote at 2B, Sampson Pitching for 8th Straight Schwin

The Cubs have won seven straight and they’ll try to make it eight with Willson Contreras leading off behind the plate. Newly-minted NL Player of the Week Frank Schwindel is batting second and playing first, Ian Happ is in center, Patrick Wisdom is in left, and Matt Duffy is at third. Jason Heyward is in right, David Bote is the second baseman, and Sergio Alcántara plays short.

Adrian Sampson is making his second start of the season following four relief appearances, the last of which saw him go 3.1 perfect innings with four strikeouts. Though his career to this point has been wholly unremarkable, Sampson has pitched well in limited work for the Cubs. Perhaps his best trait has been the lack of walks, something the Cubs have desperately needed from their pitchers.

Wade Miley is toeing the rubber for the Reds as he faces the Cubs for the fifth time this season. He’s 2-0 over those first four games, but was bailed out in the middle two despite giving up 17 hits over 11 innings. The Cubs only managed five runs in that time, though, so it’s clear they weren’t stringing productive hits together. Miley shut them down over seven innings the last time out, giving up no runs on four hits and striking out seven with one walk.

He’s been running hot and cold, throwing scoreless outings every other start for the last six starts, and he gave up five earned on three homers against the Cardinals last week. That doesn’t bode well for the Cubs, but they’re coming up with big hits and timely rallies seemingly every night lately.

First pitch is at 6:40pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.

Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup. pic.twitter.com/OcSSKaeyAi

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 7, 2021