Chicago Cubs Lineup (7/9/22): Contreras and Stroman Return as Cubs Take on Dodgers
The Chicago Cubs lost yet another extra-inning game on Friday. They haven’t managed to score the free runner in 10 of their last 11 extra-inning games. It’s a bit confounding and something that they have to figure out if they hope to stack up more wins than losses anytime in the near future.
Marcus Stroman will get his first start tonight in over a month following a stint on the IL due to shoulder soreness. His last big league start was on June 3 when he got crushed for nine runs over four innings. Prior to that, he had a stretch of five games with two earned runs or less and it really felt like he’d turned a corner.
Coming back after over a month off to play the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw in L.A. isn’t exactly the most ideal situation for Stroman, so he’ll need to be very good early tonight to get an edge. That and the Cubs’ offense will need to strike early to give Stroman some support and confidence right off the bat.
Christopher Morel will lead off tonight playing second, he’s followed by DH Willson Contreras who returns from being sidelined by a sore hamstring. Patrick Wisdom is at third, Seiya Suzuki is in right, and Nico Hoerner is at short. Ian Happ is in left, Yan Gomes is catching, P.J. Higgins is at first, and Nelson Velazquez is in center.
First pitch is scheduled for 9:10pm CT from Dodger Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (out-of-market), and 670 The Score.
Willson Contreras and Marcus Stroman return to the #Cubs lineup tonight in LA! pic.twitter.com/8jxwOCZUKf
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 9, 2022