Chicago Cubs Lineup (8/26/22): Steele Pitching, Madrigal Leading Off, Suzuki Batting Cleanup

The Chicago Cubs (54-71) head into their road series against the Milwaukee Brewers (65-68) playing their best baseball of the season. They’re 19-14 (.576) in the second half and 13-11 (.542) in August. The Cubs haven’t finished a full month over .500 since back in May 2021. To get there, they’ll need to split their remaining six games; three against the Brewers and three against the Blue Jays.

Justin Steele (4-7, 3.25 ERA) has been flat-out dominant lately and he’s looking more and more like a top-end starter.  Since the All-Star break, Steele has a 0.86 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 31.1 innings pitched. And that’s with a .338 BABIP, which is absolutely ridiculous. There’s little question that Steele will be starting next season for the Cubs. The only real question is whether he can continue his utter domination as the season comes to an end.

Justin Steele's 0.86 ERA since the All-Star break is second in all of MLB to only Zac Gallen's 0.80 (min. 30 IP).

— Cubs Insider (@realcubsinsider) August 26, 2022

Nick Madrigal is batting leadoff and playing second, Willson Contreras is catching, Ian Happ is in left, Seiya Suzuki is in right, and Franmil Reyes is DH. Nico Hoerner is playing short, Zach McKinstry is at third, P.J. Higgins is at first, and Christopher Morel is in center.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10pm CT from Wrigley North in Milwaukee.

Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup at American Family Field. pic.twitter.com/bS9LBFeB9R

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 26, 2022