Chicago Cubs Lineup (6/30/22): Hendricks P, Higgins 1B, Morel CF

With a win tonight, the Chicago Cubs can take the rubber match in this best of three series which will also give them a one-game lead in the season series against the Cincinnati Reds. Of course, the prevailing thoughts heading into this season were that the Cubs would be markedly better than this Reds team but, unfortunately, that hasn’t panned out.

Kyle Hendricks (3-6, 4.90 ERA) was exceptional in his last outing against the St. Louis Cardinals when he gave up no runs on six hits over 7 1/3 innings pitched. In his only outing against the Reds this season back on May 25, Hendricks lasted only four innings after giving up four runs.

There’s no question that Hendricks has been dramatically inconsistent this season. He’s either dominated by giving up less than two runs per game over seven games or he’s been awful, giving up four or more runs per game in six games. If Hendricks gets off to a rough start tonight it could twist sideways quickly.

Rafael Ortega is batting leadoff playing right tonight, Willson Contreras is DH, Ian Happ is in left, Patrick Wisdom is at third, and Nico Hoerner is at short. Yan Gomes is catching, P.J. Higgins is at first, David Bote is at second, and Christopher Morel is in center.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm CT from Historic Wrigley Field. The game will be broadcast on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.

Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup! pic.twitter.com/3j5N9u7wpY

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 30, 2022