The Cubs kick off a three-game series at Dodger Stadium on Friday night (9:10pm CDT). Mike Montgomery makes his second start with the Cubs and faces veteran right-hander Bud Norris. And Joe Maddon has Miguel Montero starting behind the plate.
Miguel Montero was expected to catch Mike Montgomery tonight. The two worked extremely well together at Coors Field, plus Montero has excellent numbers against Bud Norris. Montero is 6-for-14 with one double and two walks versus Norris.
Jorge Soler is starting in left field with Dexter Fowler in center and Jason Heyward in right field.
Cubs batting order: Dexter Fowler CF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Ben Zobrist 2B, Addison Russell SS, Jason Heyward RF, Jorge Soler LF, Miguel Montero C, Mike Montgomery P
Left-handers have raked against Bud Norris this season. Lefties have a .910 OPS with 21 extra basehits (12 doubles, one triple, eight home runs) while hitting .287/.392/.518. Right-handers have managed only a .245/.288/.339 line with a .627 OPS (10 doubles, four home runs).
Norris is 2-1 in five starts at Dodger Stadium this season with a 1.59 ERA and 1.01 WHIP.
Joe Maddon will begin the game with Javier Baez, Matt Szczur, Willson Contreras and David Ross on the bench.