Chicago Cubs Lineup

Chicago Cubs Lineup (8/17/24): Steele Starting with Support From Familiar Lineup

Photo of Evan Altman Evan AltmanAugust 17, 2024

Believe it or not, yesterday’s win improved the Cubs’ postseason odds by over 33% because both the Cardinals and Reds lost. We’re still talking about a mere 4.5% chance at this point, but a boy can dream. It helps that the opponents are a little easier over the next few weeks, even if the Cubs end up playing against themselves most of the time.

Héctor Neris did everything he could to spoil what had looked like an easy victory Friday afternoon, so Justin Steele may need to toss a shutout to feel confident in this one. The offense sputtered in Cleveland but came alive yesterday, and we’re seeing the same group out there again on Saturday.

Ian Happ is in left, Michael Busch is at first, Seiya Suzuki is the DH, and Cody Bellinger is in right. Isaac Paredes mans third, Nico Hoerner is at second, and Dansby Swanson is the shortstop. Pete Crow-Armstrong holds down center and Miguel Amaya is behind the dish. While those two had their struggles early, being allowed to work through rough patches with the support of teammates and the coaching staff has helped turn their performances around.

The Cubs are facing righty Chris Bassitt, who appears to be continuing a downward trend that began in 2021. His ERA has risen in each subsequent season and his walks have gone up considerably as well, plus he’s generating far fewer grounders. Bassitt’s sinker is still really good, but his breaking balls and offspeed stuff have left a lot to be desired.

He’s got a varied pitch mix reminiscent of Yu Darvish and can still put together excellent performances when he’s right, especially with that funky delivery throwing hitters off. Bassitt flies open on the front side perhaps more than any other pitcher in the game, bringing his glove way down below his left knee. How he manages to firm it up and deliver strikes is beyond me.

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

Photo of Evan Altman Evan AltmanAugust 17, 2024
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