Cubs lineup vs. Pirates, Bryant out |
The Chicago Cubs (33-34) will battle the Pittsburgh at 12:35 p.m. CDT in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park televised on CSN Chicago and MLB Network.
Veteran righty John Lackey will take the mound for the defending World Champions as they try to find a way to win a game on the road. Lackey is 4-7 on the year with a high 5.26 ERA and 73 strikeouts. One of the keys to the game will be him trying to minimize home runs agains him as he has given up an alarming 11 homers in his last six starts. One lineup note is that first baseman Anthony Rizzo will leadoff again after being a spark plug for the last four games. He only needs one homer to reach 150 for his young but outstanding career. Kris Bryant will get his second day off in a row as he has struck out in five straight at-bats while young catcher Willson Conteras will bat third for the first time this season. The Cubs are currently in second place in the National League Central (2.5 GB) behind the Brewers. Cubs lineup vs. Pirates 1. Anthony Rizzo 1B 2. Ian Happ 2B 3. Willson Contreras C 4. Jason Heyward RF 5. Albert Almora CF 6. Tommy La Stella 3B 7. Javier Baez SS 8. John Lackey P 9. Jon Jay LF Pirates lineup vs. Cubs 1. Frazier LF 2. Harrison 2B 3. Polanco RF 4. Freese 3B 5. Bell 1B 6. McCutchen CF 7. Diaz C 8. Mercer SS 9. Taillon P