Da Windy City
Fansided

Chicago Cubs lineup versus Marlins: Rizzo back at leadoff, Contreras gets the day off

By Dan Schmelzer

Jun 19, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) hits a sacrifice fly to score center fielder Albert Almora Jr. (not pictured) in the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) hits a sacrifice fly to score center fielder Albert Almora Jr. (not pictured) in the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Chicago Cubs lineup for Sunday, June 25th against the Miami Marlins.

The Chicago Cubs will look to go for the four-game series win on Sunday against the Miami Marlins. This series against the Marlins has been the start of an 11-game road trip for the Cubs, with the team taking two out of the first three games to start the trip. A win on Sunday would give the Cubs an impressive series win and a great start to an important road trip.

The Cubs will turn to Mike Montgomery on the mound. Montgomery has only allowed four runs in three starts (15 innings pitched) since entering the Cubs’ rotation this season. He is coming off of the best start of his season, tossing six scoreless innings against the San Diego Padres the last time out.

The Marlins will send Edinson Volquez to the mound to oppose Montgomery. Volquez has been solid this season, posting a 4.19 ERA through 14 starts. His 21.8% strikeout rate is impressive (FanGraphs), but Volquez has been extremely wild (13.3% walk rate). If the Cubs can stay patient against Volquez, they could do a lot of offensive damage in this one.

Lineup

Here is the lineup that Joe Maddon will go to battle with against Volquez and the Marlins:

Left-handed hitters are hitting much better against Volquez this season (.258/..387/.430 versus .189/.281/.331 against RHH). This gives Maddon an opportunity to get guys like Miguel Montero, Tommy La Stella and Jon Jay into the lineup. Getting Montero a start means benching the red-hot Willson Contreras, but Maddon clearly likes the idea of getting a bunch of lefties in against Volquez.

After a planned day off on Saturday, Maddon also gets Anthony Rizzo back into the lineup as the Cubs’ leadoff hitter. Rizzo is hitting an incredible .342/.422/.763 since Maddon put him at the top of the order. I still do not think that having Rizzo leadoff is a long-term solution, but if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.

Next: Cubs not wise to send down Schwarber

The Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins will face off on Sunday in what figures to be an exciting final game of a four-game set. First pitch is at 12:10 p.m. CT and it can be watched live on CSN Chicago.

Home/Chicago Cubs