The Cubs open a three-game series tonight at Busch Stadium (7:15pm CDT). Kyle Hendricks takes the hill against veteran right-hander Mike Leake.
Joe Maddon has Miguel Montero behind the plate catching Hendricks. And Jason Heyward is back in the starting lineup against his former team.
The Cubs will begin the game with an infield of Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez (2B), Addison Russell and Kris Bryant.
Cubs batting order: Dexter Fowler CF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Ben Zobrist LF, Addison Russell SS, Miguel Montero C, Jason Heyward RF, Javier Baez 2B, Kyle Hendricks P
One name missing from the starting lineup is Chris Coghlan, who has excellent career numbers against Mike Leake. Coghlan is 11-for-19 with four doubles and two home runs against Leake. It is not a surprise Miguel Montero is catching Hendricks just based on his numbers against Leake (4-for-13 with one home run and one walk). Montero as also worked very well with Hendricks this season.
Left-handers have hit .266/.307/.439 with a .746 OPS against Leake this season while right-handers have a .303/.326/.440 line with a .766 OPS.
Joe Maddon will begin the game with Willson Contreras, David Ross, Tim Federowicz, Tommy La Stella, Munenori Kawasaki, Matt Szczur, Chris Coghlan, Jorge Soler and Albert Almora Jr. on his bench.