The Cubs had an impressive 5-1 win over Patrick Corbin and the Diamondbacks Monday night, as the offense really hit Corbin hard, despite it not looking that way in the box score. However, Kyle Hendricks was brilliant, allowing only one run in 8.1 innings, while Javier Baez and Kris Bryant hit home runs to power the team to a win.
After getting Monday’s game off with a lefty starting, Daniel Murphy returns to the lineup and he’s back in the leadoff spot after spending a few games lower in the batting order.
And we’ll start with that, the thing I hate about tonight’s lineup.
I don’t hate Murphy, I just hate that he’s batting leadoff despite his recent slump and inability to work long counts, or draw walks. It just doesn’t make any sense to use him there, when his strong suit is making contact, which would be more useful lower in the lineup, where he is hopefully at the plate with runners on base.
Speaking of getting on base, Ben Zobrist is also in tonight’s lineup, starting in left field and hitting fifth. Fine, but so far this year Zobrist has a .387 OBP against right-handed pitching!
C’mon, there’s no reason Zobrist shouldn’t be leading off against righties.
Anyway, the thing I love about tonight’s lineup?
Jason Heyward is back!
Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup against the #Dbacks.
Game preview: https://t.co/lnl5KMnSjQ #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/BFk5HH8MvP
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 18, 2018
Heyward missed about three weeks with a hamstring injury, last appearing in the lineup on Aug. 30, against the Braves. He got in late during Monday’s game, but he’s now back in the lineup for the Cubs.
Heyward is slashing .275/.342/.399, this season. Great to have him back and hopefully he can get back to his groove from June, when he had an .874 OPS.
By the way, the Cubs will be facing Matt Andriese, who’s making his first start for the Diamondbacks. They acquired him from the Rays back in July, and Andriese has made 12 appearances out of the bullpen for Arizona since then. He’s pitched 16 innings, allowing 13 runs on 22 hits, while giving up six home runs.
Andriese made four starts with the Rays earlier this year and had a 4.07 ERA in 59.2 innings with Tampa Bay compared to his 7.31 ERA with Arizona. Basically he’s been the Diamondbacks version of Brandon Kintzler, who’s been just awful since the Cubs traded for him.
So, the Cubs should be able to hit Andriese no matter how the lineup is constructed, but that’s why they play the games and not on paper.