Chicago Cubs Lineup (8/1/21): Ortega Leads Off, Chirinos Catching, Alzolay on Mound

The Zombie Cubs have a chance to win their first series in the rubber match of their tilt with the Zombie Nationals Sunday afternoon in DC. It almost feels like Rick Grimes should be leading the way, but Rafael Ortega will have to suffice as the centerfielder atop the order. David Bote bats and plays second, Ian Happ is in left, Patrick Wisdom mans first, and Matt Duffy is at third. Jason Heyward is in right, Robinson Chirinos is the catcher, and Sergio Alcántara handles short.

Adbert Alzolay is on the mound for the Cubs and he’ll need to limit the longball in order to keep his team in the fight. The righty is still getting a feel for his pitches and how to deploy them in the best fashion, which can lead to a few too many hangers.

This isn’t a trap game, but Erick Fedde is on the mound for the Nats after initially being slated to throw yesterday. The 28-year-old righty has made 16 starts so far, posting a 5.05 ERA with 7.98 K/9 and 4.11 BB/9 across 76.2 innings. He’s only completed six innings on four occasions this year and probably isn’t going deep in this one because he isn’t efficient in the least.

Fedde has allowed at least three hits in 14 starts and he’s issued multiple walks in all but five stars, so the Cubs should be able to put men on against him. They could also get themselves into trouble with contact, though, as Fedde loves to get grounders. He throws a 94 mph sinker nearly 50% of the time and his cutter/slider combo makes up another 38%, with a changeup filling out the rest.

The slider is the only one of those pitches that grades out well because it can get some of the few whiffs Fedde manages. If the Cubs can avoid hitting it right at the defensive players, they should be able to make some things happen today.

First pitch is at 12:05pm CT on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.

Here is today's #Cubs starting lineup. pic.twitter.com/wEIumkYuHF

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 1, 2021