Chicago Cubs Lineup (7/8/22): Thompson P, Suzuki RF, Higgins 1B

The Chicago Cubs (34-49) have been playing much better lately, which also happens to coincide with the absence of Jonathan Villar and Jason Heyward. The former was DFA’d on June 24 and the latter is on the IL and last played on, you guessed it, June 24. In case you’re wondering, the Cubs are 8-5 since June 24.

The Cubs headed to Los Angeles hoping for at least a respectable showing against an all-world Dodgers team. They were undone by the longball on Thursday night and dropped the first game of the series 5-3. They hung in there against a much better team and if they would’ve kept the ball in the yard you can see how they might’ve been able to come away with a win.

Keegan Thompson (7-3, 3.41 ERA) takes the hill for the Cubs tonight hoping to continue to build off of his already impressive season. He’s held the opponents to three runs or less in four of his past five starts and has only allowed one home run over that stretch. The Cubs will need an outstanding effort by Thompson tonight if they’re to have any realistic chance of winning.

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

First pitch is scheduled at 9:10pm CT tonight from Dodger Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (out-of-market), and 670 The Score.

Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/vs81QMUKXZ

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 8, 2022