Chicago Cubs lineup: Always the same

CUBS LINEUP – New day, new series, same old Chicago Cubs lineup for Game 1 against the Athletics.

Chicago Cubs lineup:

1. Ian Happ, LF
2. Dansby Swanson, SS
3. Seiya Suzuki, DH
4. Cody Bellinger, RF
5. Isaac Paredes, 3B
6. Michael Busch, 1B
7. Nico Hoerner, 2B
8. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
9. Miguel Amaya, C

Nothing new here, although I did notice this small but nice streak of success from the Cubs' fifth batter:

Oakland A's lineup:

1. Jacob Wilson, SS
2. Brent Rooker, DH
3. JJ Bleday, CF
4. Shea Langeliers, C
5. Zack Gelof, 2B
6. Daz Cameron, RF
7. Tyler Soderstrom, 1B
8. Tyler Nevin LF
9. Max Schumann, 3B

Pitching duel:

Chicago Cubs: Shota Imanaga, LHP

Shota Imanaga has made four straight good starts, pitching 7.0 complete innings in three of those four games, including one against the Dodgers in LA. Of course, he hit SIX more home runs during that stretch. That means his 1.46 HR/9 is the sixth worst in the MLB today, and his 26 total home runs allowed are the ninth most. I know a lot of those are singles because he's so good otherwise, but that's a concern for me, especially because it's getting worse as the season goes on. We'll take a closer look at that tomorrow.

Oakland A’s: Joey Estes, RHP

In his last ten starts, Joey Estes has averaged just over 6.0 innings with a 3.26 ERA and a walk rate of just 4.0%. Pretty good! He hardly strikes anyone out and doesn't get many fly balls, but he's also barely allowed ONE line drive (12.2%) and has an astonishing 18.3% infield fly ball rate.

Now compare that to his first 11 starts of the season: 5.53 ERA, averaging ~5.0 innings per start with a 5.8% walk rate and a 28.1% line drive rate. A difference like night and day.

Broadcast info:

Chicago Cubs (76-73) vs. Oakland Athletics (65-85) at 6:40 p.m. CT – Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

Chicago Cubs:

Oakland Athletics: