Chicago Cubs Lineup (6/4/21): Contreras Leads Off, Wisdom at 3B, Arrieta Starting
Willson Contreras leads off at catcher, Kris Bryant is in right, and Anthony Rizzo is in first as the Cubs look to start a new winning streak. Javy Báez is at short, Patrick Wisdom is at third, Joc Pederson is in left, Ian Happ is in center, and Sergio Alcántara is at second.
Jake Arrieta has one of the lowest swinging-strike rates in MLB among starters, which isn’t ideal when facing a team with the third-most homers. It would be really great to get a vintage performance from ol’ Snake.
Going for the Giants is veteran lefty Scott Kazmir, who is making just his third appearance and second start of the year. It’ll actually be his first time pitching against a team other than the Dodgers in 2021. He went four innings against them on May 22, allowing just one run on a homer, then gave up two runs on another homer in one inning of relief a week later.
Kazmir hasn’t seen his velo drop off, though he’s only around 92 mph. He throws the four-seam a lot, nearly 45%, with the sinker and his 80 mph change making up nearly 25% of his repertoire apiece. A cutter makes up pretty much all the rest.
Traditionally a fairly even-split pitcher, Kazmir shouldn’t present a tough matchup for anyone in the Cubs lineup. Famous last words, huh?
First pitch from Oracle Park is at 8:45pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.
Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup.#CubTogether pic.twitter.com/wOp9ekuNq2
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 4, 2021
