The Cubs begin a three-game series this afternoon (1:20pm CDT) at Wrigley against the Cardinals. Jake Arrieta takes on veteran right-hander Mike Leake. And Joe Maddon is starting Miguel Montero and Chris Coghlan.
Maddon is pairing Montero with Arrieta for the first time since Aug. 12. Arrieta had a good outing against the Cardinals with Montero behind the plate. Arrieta allowed one run on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
Chris Coghlan is in left field with Dexter Fowler in center and Jason Heyward in right. Maddon is going with an infield of Rizzo, Zobrist, Russell and Bryant.
Cubs batting order: Dexter Fowler CF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Ben Zobrist 2B, Addison Russell SS, Jason Heyward RF, Chris Coghlan LF, Miguel Montero C, Jake Arrieta P
Maddon using a left-handed heavy lineup against Mike Leake does not come as a surprise with the way Coghlan and Montero have hit him during their careers. Coghlan is 11-for-19 with four doubles and two home runs and Montero is 4-for-16 with a home run and a walk.
Lefties and righties have put up similar numbers against Leake this season. Right-handers have hit .302/.325/.432 with a .757 OPS … 31 extra basehits (22 doubles, two triples, seven home runs. Left-handers have a .757 OPS with 28 extra basehits (14 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs) and a .269/.308/.449 slash line.
Joe Maddon will begin the game with a bench of David Ross, Willson Contreras, Tim Federowicz, Tommy La Stella, Matt Szczur, Albert Almora Jr., Jorge Soler, Munenori Kawasaki and Javier Baez.