Chicago Cubs Lineup (7/29/22): Contreras Catching, Happ in Left, Stroman on Hill

We’re in full trade-watch mode here at Cubs Insider, with the expectation that several Cubs players are about to be shipped out to contending teams. I’ve got to be honest, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind back when Theo Epstein said his goal was to make the Cubs a World Series contender every year. But, alas, here we are.

Marcus Stroman (2-5, 4.38 ERA) is on the hill tonight for the Cubs as they look to rebound from their series-opening loss last night. A loss that saw Manager David Ross get caught flipping the double bird on live television. Which is pretty much exactly how every single Cubs fan feels right about now.

Stroman has struggled through injuries this year so it’s not clear if he will be one of the players traded before the August 2 deadline or not. In his three July starts, Stroman has allowed just two earned runs in 14.1 innings. His most recent outing against Philadelphia resulted in a quality start, his fourth of the season.

Rafael Ortega will lead things off for the Cubs tonight playing center, Willson Contreras is still in the lineup catching, he’s followed by Seiya Suzuki in right, and yet-to-be-traded Ian Happ in left. Nico Hoerner is at short, Patrick Wisdom is at third, Frank Schwindel is DH, Alfonso Rivas is at first, and Christopher Morel is at second.

First pitch from San Francisco is scheduled for 9:15pm CT. The game will be broadcast exclusively on Apple TV+ and 670 The Score.

Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup.

Watch live: https://t.co/si1AUw7ZwY pic.twitter.com/K8uGy3ERAz

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 29, 2022