Chicago Cubs Lineup (7/17/22): Morel Leads Off, Happ DH, Sampson Starting

The Cubs took a haircut Saturday, losing both ends of a doubleheader in extra innings, and now they head into the last game of the first half attempting to stop a nine-game skid. There’s really not much left to say about this season or this game, particularly with the draft taking place tonight, so let’s go ahead and cover the requisite details.

Adrian Sampson has gone at least five innings in each of his starts and he’s due for a really good one after alternating solid with meh. The Cubs are going to need him to be on point after leaning so heavily on the bullpen, but having the break ahead means David Ross can put a little more stress than usual on his relievers.

The Mets are going with big lefty David Peterson, a strikeout artist who is prone to walks and can run into trouble if his command gets shaky. He has allowed at least one homer in each of his last four starts and he’s walked eight in his last two outings, so it’s possible the Cubs can do a lot of damage in short order if given the opportunity.

Christopher Morel is leading off in center with Willson Contreras behind the plate and Ian Happ at DH. Seiya Suzuki is in right, Nico Hoerner is at short, Frank Schwindel is at first, and Patrick Wisdom is playing third. David Bote bats eighth at second base and Nelson Velázquez finishes out the lineup in left.

The break offers a welcome reprieve for an incredibly disappointing half of baseball, even if the resumption of action in a few days provides us with an even worse team to watch. First pitch from Wrigley is at 1:20pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score, then you can check out the Draft at 6pm CT on MLB Network and ESPN.

Here is today's #Cubs starting lineup at Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/2ZqhkSCERZ

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 17, 2022