Game 3 of the National League Championship Series is tonight (7:08pm CDT) at Dodger Stadium. It’s Jake Arrieta against southpaw Rich Hill. And Joe Maddon is running out a slightly different starting nine in what will be the first of three over three straight days in Los Angeles.
As expected, Miguel Montero is catching Jake Arrieta. Montero is batting eighth.
Maddon made changes to his batting order. Ben Zobrist is batting third, playing left field. Javier Baez is at second base and batting fifth. Addison Russell was moved down to seventh.
Jorge Soler is starting in right field and batting sixth. Jason Heyward is not starting.
Cubs batting order: Dexter Fowler CF, Kris Bryant 3B, Ben Zobrist LF, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Javier Baez 2B, Jorge Soler RF, Addison Russell SS, Miguel Montero C, Jake Arrieta P
Maddon looks at the splits of the opposing starting pitcher when he puts together his lineup. Maddon considers Hill a neutral splits pitcher and he is looking for his lineup to put runs on the board before Dave Roberts has a chance to get Hill out of the game.
Maddon does not think Hill will pitch more than five innings.
Right-handers have hit .188/.272/.260 against Rich Hill this season with a .532 OPS in 346 plate appearances. And left-handers have a .522 OPS in 93 plate appearances while batting .218/.258/.264.
The Cubs will begin the game with Jason Heyward, Willson Contreras, David Ross, Chris Coghlan and Albert Almora Jr. on the bench.