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Joe Maddon hinted at the change earlier in the day and now it’s official. Down 2-0 in the NLCS, the Chicago Cubs face Yu Darvish and the Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday night at Wrigley Field with a lineup full of left-handed hitters.
After not starting in either of the first two games in Los Angeles, Ben Zobrist returns to the Cubs lineup. The veteran replaces Javier Baez at second base. Baez, who a year ago was named co-MVP in the NLCS, is 0-for-19 in seven games this postseason.
Meanwhile, Kyle Schwarber, Jon Jay and Jason Heyward make up the outfield.
Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup.
NLCS Game 3 preview: https://t.co/YgYHeHMzKd #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/HH7JZ9jsCJ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 17, 2017
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There’s no surprise why Maddon has gone to more lefties, as Darvish’s splits tell you that’s the way to go.
Darvish vs. lefties: .262/.325/.453, 16 HRs
Darvish vs. righties: .194/.259/.341, 11 HRs
However, what matters most is how the star duo of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo perform because so far it’s been putrid, combining to go 9-for-54, with 22 strikeouts through seven playoff games.
Game 3 starts at 8 p.m. at Wrigley Field.
