Chicago Cubs Lineup (6/24/22): Morel in Center, Villar at Second, Hendricks Looks to Rebound Against Cardinals

The Chicago Cubs are in full-on tank mode and no amount of reassurances from Jed and company should be enough to convince you otherwise. Things have gotten so bad at the corner of Clark and Addison that the Cubs actually held a beam signing today to celebrate the completion of the DraftKings sportsbook steel skeleton. That’s weird on so many levels.

What’s also weird is just how bad Kyle Hendricks has been this season. His 5.43 ERA ranks him as the 7th worst starting pitcher in all of MLB with at least 60 innings pitched. He’s given up four or more runs in six of his 13 starts. He has also allowed two or fewer runs six times, including an 8.2-inning three-hit masterpiece on May 9 against the Padres. To say he’s been inconsistent would be a wild understatement.

If Kyle Hendricks can come out tonight and establish his fastball on the edges he’ll be able to counter with his changeup and should pitch well. Going up against all-world batters like Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado will make that task much more challenging, so it’s important that Hendricks comes out strong right away. If not, it will likely be another very long night for him and the Cubs.

Christopher Morel is a mainstay at the top of the lineup for the Cubs, which is where he is once again playing center. Willson Contreras is batting second as DH, followed by Ian Happ in left, Patrick Wisdom at third, and, unfortunately, Jonathan Villar at second. Yan Gomes is catching, Nico Hoerner playing short, Jason Heyward in right, and Alfonso Rivas at first.

First pitch is scheduled at 7:15pm CT and the game will be broadcast for free on AppleTV+ and 670 The Score.

Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup in St. Louis.

Watch on @AppleTVPlus: https://t.co/si1AUw7ZwY pic.twitter.com/VHCWcOcxVR

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 24, 2022