Chicago Cubs Lineup: Contreras and Russell Off, Quintana Looks for Series Win

Jose Quintana gets the ball for the Cubs in the rubber match against the Rockies Sunday afternoon. He’ll be looking to put memories of his last start against the Braves behind him. Atlanta touched Quintana up for seven earned runs in just 2.1 innings last Saturday in the wintry landscape of Wrigley Field. As has been the case for the entire Cubs rotation in 2018, command is key for Quintana. In two of his first three starts Q has issued four walks, which was more than his strikeout total in each of those games. Quintana did pitch in Colorado last year while with the White Sox, giving up three earned runs in 5.1 innings while striking out 10. Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon were a combined 3-6 in the game with Arenado taking Q deep.

Opposing the Cubs will be 23 year-old righty German Marquez. Marquez sports a 4.34 ERA, though it’s worth mentioning he surrendered seven runs in one start to the Braves and was ejected after three shutout innings against Padres. His last start in Pittsburgh saw him give up two runs on two hits over six innings in a win over the Buccos. The Cubs faced Marquez twice in 2017. In May, Marquez took a no-hitter into the seventh inning at Coors Field, and he also drove in two runs in an eight inning shutout victory. When the Cubs saw Marquez at Wrigley Field a month later, a high pitch count saw him exit after giving up one earned run in three innings. So far in 2018, Marquez has seen dramatic reverse splits with a .492 wOBA against right handed hitters compared to a .186 wOBA against lefties.

Kris Bryant, Jason Heyward and Tommy La Stella are the only Cubs with hits against Marquez in their few matchups, so no surprise to see all three in the lineup Sunday. Willson Contreras and Addison Russell will get the day off, with Victor Caratini getting the start behind the dish and Javy Baez staying in the two-hole and playing shortstop. Both Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward find their way back in the lineup Sunday after not being in the starting nine on Saturday. Albert Almora Jr. stays in the leadoff spot, and he’s certainly enjoyed the short trip to Colorado. Albert has gone 6-10 with two doubles and five runs scored in the first two games of the series.

 

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