Chicago Cubs Lineup (6/28/22): Thompson on Mound, Ortega in Right, Bote at Second

The Chicago Cubs are coming off an unexpected series win against the St. Louis Cardinals and are looking to build any type of momentum they can against the cellar-dwelling Cincinnati Reds. Of course, you only have to go back three series, when the Cubs took two-out-of-three against the Braves and then dropped 3-of-4 against the Pirates, to see that this momentum thing has been fairly elusive for the Cubs this season.

Keegan Thompson (7-2, 3.10 ERA) has been the Cubs’ best pitcher by a large margin so far this season, and that’s true whether he’s coming out of the bullpen or starting. However, he’s been far less effective as a starter in pretty much every statistical category, giving up more home runs, striking out fewer batters, walking more batters, and on.

The good news for Thompson is that he’s been much better in his last two starts, giving up just one run on six hits, three walks, and 16 strikeouts over 12 innings. So, perhaps he’s figured something out that will continue to translate into the dominating pitcher we’ve seen recently.

Christopher Morel will lead off tonight playing center, Rafael Ortega is in right, Willson Contreras is DH, Ian Happ is in left, and Patrick Wisdom is at third. Nico Hoerner is at short, Yan Gomes is catching, Alfonso Rivas is at first, and David Bote is at second.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm CT from the Friendly Confines in Chicago. The game will be broadcast on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.

Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup at Wrigley Field! pic.twitter.com/gdnbbYnhpR

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 28, 2022