Cubs Lineup (6/6/24): The Opener in Cincy

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have won two games in a row – but just barely (and against the worst team in MLB). Let’s see if they can deliver a more convincing victory in the first of four games against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark.

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

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

Michael Busch is the odd man out of the Cubs lineup this evening in Cincinnati, with Cody Bellinger taking over first base and making room for Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field. And with lefties on the mound for the Reds on Friday and Saturday, he might see just one start this weekend.

He has been coming in as a pinch hitter, however, so maybe he’ll still find a way to make an impact. Really disappointed by the way that’s gone. But I guess it was wishful thinking to assume he was going to be just immediately awesome.

Mike Tauchman is out in right field tonight, taking over for Seiya Suzuki, who’s had more than his fair share of meh looking plays defensively. And Miguel Amaya is behind the plate.

Oh, and the Cubs have Babe Ruth batting fifth tonight.

Cincinnati Reds Lineup:

1. TJ Friedle, CF
2. Elly De La Cruz, SS
3. Jeimer Candelario, 3B
4. Spencer Steer, 1B
5. Jake Fraley, DH
6. Tyler Stephenson, C
7. Jacob Hurtubise, LF
8. Jonathan India, 2B
9. Will Benson, RF

Pitching Matchup:

Chicago Cubs: Javier Assad, RHP

Javier Assad had a rough outing against the Cardinals a couple games back, but he bounced back well enough against the Reds at Wrigley Field last weekend: 5.1 IP, 5H, 2ER, 3BB, 7K. You’d take a repeat of that performance tonight, especially in a hitter-friendly ballpark against a team he just saw his last time out.

Cincinnati Reds: Hunter Greene, RHP

Hunter Greene is having a fantastic year overall, but the Cubs were able to get to him last weekend, largely because of their patience (5 walks) and one big swing of the bat from Seiya Suzuki (a grand slam). Nonetheless, his 25.9% strikeout rate, .204 AVG against, and upper-90s fastball are not to be taken for granted. The Cubs lineup has started hitting, but will they be able to keep it up?

Chicago Cubs

• Jordan Wicks, SP
• Yency Almonte, RP
• Colten Brewer, RP
• Julian Merryweather, RP
• Caleb Kilian, SP
• Adbert Alzolay, RP
• Daniel Palencia, RP (Rehab Assignment)
• Keegan Thompson, RP (Rehab Assignment)

Cincinnati Reds:

• Matt McLain, 2B
• Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B
• Brandon Williamson, SP
• Tejay Antone, RP
• Ian Gibaut, RP