Chicago Cubs Lineup (4/24/21): Happ Leads Off, Hoerner at SS, Alzolay Returns to Rotation

Ian Happ leads off in center, followed by Willson Contreras behind the plate, Anthony Rizzo at first, and Kris Bryant in left. Matt Duffy is at third, Jason Heyward is in right, Eric Sogard is at second, and Nico Hoerner is at short.

Adbert Alzolay is back with the big club after being optioned briefly to the alternate site at South Bend in order to limit his innings. Even with Kyle Hendricks missing a start, the Cubs had an extra day off and were able to skip Alzolay’s turn. That’s all part of the plan and it will continue as the Cubs leverage that extra option they gained over the young righty.

Going for the Brewers is righty Freddy Peralta, who will be facing the Cubs for the third time already this season. He has absolutely dominated them with the slider thus far, throwing it roughly 40% of the time to get 18 strikeouts while limiting them to a single run over 11 innings. He has walked six in that time, not that it mattered when he’s only given up three hits.

The Cubs need to figure something out and quickly or they’ll piss away a lot of the momentum from yesterday’s blowout. That’s not ideal with Brandon Woodruff looming Sunday.

First pitch from Wrigley is set for 1:20pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.

Here is today's #Cubs starting lineup!#CubTogether pic.twitter.com/Qtrjod1p6A

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 24, 2021