The Cubs and Giants square off in Game 4 of the NLDS tonight (7:40pm CDT) at AT&T Park. John Lackey takes the ball against lefty Matt Moore. And Joe Maddon has David Ross and Jason Heyward in his starting lineup.
The Cubs lead the best-of-five National League Division Series two games to one.
The Cubs have a chance and are looking to close out the series tonight against the Giants. The Cubs let one slip away Monday. Maddon has his defensive lineup starting the game with David Ross catching and batting eighth. Jason Heyward is hitting sixth and playing right field.
The Cubs outfield will start out as Ben Zobrist (LF), Dexter Fowler (CF) and Heyward.
Cubs batting order: Dexter Fowler CF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Ben Zobrist LF, Addison Russell SS, Jason Heyward RF, Javier Baez 2B, David Ross C, John Lackey P
The Cubs must make Matt Moore work early and force him to throw strikes. If the Cubs expand or make quick outs, it will be another frustrating game for the offense.
Right-handers have batted .245/.318/.386 against Moore this season with a .704 OPS (42 extra basehits in 654 plate appearances, 22 doubles, 20 home runs) while left-handers have hit .243/.301/.361 with a .661 OPS (nine extra basehits in 184 plate appearances, three doubles, one triple, five home runs).
The Cubs will have Miguel Montero, Willson Contreras, Albert Almora Jr., Chris Coghlan, Jorge Soler and Tommy La Stella on his bench.
Mike Montgomery is the only reliever not available to Joe Maddon tonight. Carl Edwards Jr. is expected to be available despite the fact he got hot several times in extra innings Monday. Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon, Travis Wood, Justin Grimm and Aroldis Chapman did not throw enough in Game 3 that would keep Maddon from using them tonight.