Chicago Cubs Lineup (7/14/24): Taillon Starting Final Game of First Half
All the momentum the Cubs had built up over five straight wins was lost Saturday in a doubleheader sweep that saw them blown out in the first game before blowing a lead in the second. They still have a chance to end the first half on a high note, though, and the matchup certainly appears favorable.
Jameson Taillon is putting together a tremendous season and he’s seeking his first win over the Cards in three chances. He’s allowed five runs on 16 hits in the two previous games against them but has just six strikeouts over 11.2 innings. The Cubs are going to need a better performance this afternoon to salvage a split.
The lineup is basically the same as what we’ve been seeing, just swapping catchers back and forth and batting them either eighth or ninth. I don’t feel like typing out all the names, so check the card below if you need the specifics.
They’re facing Miles Mikolas for what I think is the 567th time in the last six seasons, none of which have seen the Cubs score more than three runs. Don’t fact-check any of that. Mikolas isn’t a big strikeout guy, but he tied a season high with six punchies against the Cubs back in May. He had five against them a month ago in Chicago while giving up just one run in 6.1 innings. Dude has given up 111 hits in 107 innings and doesn’t miss many bats, yet he’s handled his division rivals with ease.
There’s no need to dive deeper into his stuff because you’ve all seen him a million times already — or maybe it’s 567 times. If the Cubs can’t figure out a way to get over on yet another mid-30s pitcher, well, I’m pretty sure we can go ahead and prepare ourselves for at least a mild sell-off. With the draft starting Sunday night, Jed Hoyer will soon be able to turn his attention to deadline moves one way or the other.
For the record, Mikolas has faced the Cubs 21 times and has a 6-4 record with 3.46 ERA, 83 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 110 innings.
First pitch of the last game before the break is at 1:15pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.
Here is today’s #Cubs starting lineup for the series finale against the Cardinals.
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— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 14, 2024