Chicago Cubs Lineup (7/31/22): Sampson Pitching, Contreras Catching, Happ in Left

The best the Cubs can do today is earn a series split against the San Francisco Giants. They lost the opener, won on Friday, and then lost a close one Saturday night. Tonight they’ll be playing on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball to make sure you’re prepared to consume large amounts of rhetoric about how the Cubs are sellers at the trade deadline and how this is all for the best.

Speaking of being sellers, the Cubs acquired Zach McKinstry from the Dodgers yesterday in exchange of RHP Chris Martin, and McKinstry has already been added to the Cubs’ 26-man active roster. So, it’s possible he could get into the game tonight as a pinch hitter or defensive substitute.

Adrian Sampson (0-1, 3.20 ERA) has been pretty effective for the Cubs this year as a stand-in starter plugging the many holes left by the injury-plagued staff. He recorded his first quality start of the season in his last outing on July 25 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving up just two earned runs in seven innings pitched. If Sampson continues to produce quality outings, it’s not out of the question to think he could slot in next season as the Cubs’ fifth starter.

Christopher Morel is back at the top of the order tonight playing second, Willson Contreras is catching, Ian Happ is in left, Seiya Suzuki is in right, and Nico Hoerner is at short. Patrick Wisdom is DH, Nelson Velázquez is in center, David Bote is at third, and P.J. Higgins is at first.

First pitch from San Francisco is scheduled for 6:08pm CT tonight. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and locally on 670 The Score.

Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup at Oracle Park. pic.twitter.com/vaovUeVUG5

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 31, 2022