The Cubs wrap up the three-game series at Minute Maid Park on Sunday night (7:05pm CDT). Jake Arrieta is on the mound opposing right-hander Mike Fiers. And Joe Maddon has Albert Almora Jr. in right field and David Ross catching.
For the first time in four starts Jake Arrieta will be throwing to a different catcher. Maddon decided to have David Ross behind the plate tonight and not Willson Contreras. The Cubs are also giving slumping Jason Heyward a night off. Heyward has struggled offensively and defensively for the last week.
Addison Russell is back in at short. Ben Zobrist is in left field with Javier Baez starting at second base. Jorge Soler is the Cubs’ DH for the last time in the regular season.
Cubs batting order: Dexter Fowler CF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Jorge Soler DH, Ben Zobrist LF, Addison Russell SS, Javier Baez 2B, David Ross C, Albert Almora Jr. RF, Jake Arrieta P
Maddon using a right-handed heavy lineup against Fiers make sense.
Mike Fiers has allowed righties to hit .282/.334/.505 with a .839 OPS this season with 43 extra basehits (27 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs). Fiers has limited lefties to a .755 OPS, just 23 extra basehits (13 doubles, one triple, nine home runs) and a .275/.317/.438 line.
Joe Maddon will begin the game with Willson Contreras, Jason Heyward, Miguel Montero, Tommy La Stella, Chris Coghlan, Munenori Kawasaki, Matt Szczur and Tim Federowicz on his bench.