Chicago Cubs Lineup (8/31/24): Busch Moved Down, Assad Starting on Herzday
This will be somewhat repetitive for anyone who read the recap, but I’ve been driving on E for a while now and fumes are no longer enough to keep the car moving. As such, I’ve decided to afford myself a little grace for not putting tremendous effort behind these lineup posts this weekend and I ask you to do the same for me. Feels like that’s been happening more often than usual this season, whether it’s my age or the organization itself.
Anywho, the Cubs are riding a four-game winning streak and are 8-2 over their last 10, but it hasn’t helped their playoff push much. As nice as it is to be three games over .500 with 69 wins, they’re still two games behind the Mets and five behind the Braves with 27 to play. That’s not a lot of runway, even if they keep playing like they have over the last two weeks.
Javier Assad has been pitching much better as well, which is a great sign after he faltered on both ends of his IL stint. Even though the bullpen isn’t taxed, it’d be good to see him push at least into the 6th tonight. Not much is different this afternoon, though Michael Busch has been moved down in the order since there’s a southpaw on the mound.
That would be former Cubs prospect DJ Herz, a crossfire lefty with big swing-and-miss stuff who went over to the Nats as part of the deal for Jeimer Candelario. This is his 15th start of the year after making his debut in early June and it’s easy to see how this kid could have a bright future. His 94 mph fastball gets a little boost from solid extension and that funky delivery, then he’s got a really good changeup that stays arm-side and works from the middle to the bottom of the zone.
Herz has been much tougher on righties overall, though opposing managers have avoided left-handed batters for the most part. He’s had trouble with walks in the past but has scaled back the walks thanks to a little vision correction, so that shouldn’t be an issue. Homers might be, however, as he tends to give up loud contact when forced to work in the zone.
First pitch is at 3:05pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.
Game #2 in D.C.
Tune in: https://t.co/Gs2hZXyTjH pic.twitter.com/aPTMOX1TKf
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 31, 2024