Chicago Cubs Lineup (6/1/22): Heyward in Right, Madrigal at Second, Hendricks on the Hill

Kyle Hendricks (2-5, 5.20 ERA) has been exceptionally inconsistent this season for the Cubs. He has five games in which he’s allowed two or fewer runs and five games where he’s given up four or more. If I’m being completely honest, it sure feels like we’re watching the sun set on his prime years.

Of course, when Hendricks is locating his fastball and using it to effectively set up his changeup he can still be a very good pitcher. And with the Cubs about ready to start a five-game series against the Cardinals, now would be a very good time for Hendricks to throw a gem. That and it would be nice to at least earn a split in this Brewers series, which the Cubs can do with a win tonight.

Christopher Morel is forcing the Cubs’ hand, which is to say there’s almost no way they can send the hot-hitting youngster back down to the minors at this point. Morel is back at the top of the order today playing center followed by Willson Contreras catching, Ian Happ in left, and Patrick Wisdom at third. Frank Schwindel is DH, Alfonso Rivas is at first, and Nico Hoerner is at short.

We knew Jason Heyward was bound to come off the IL at some point but we didn’t know what the corresponding move(s) would be once he did return. It turns out that Nelson Velázquez has been sent back to Iowa in a series of moves made today by the Cubs. It’s not like Velázquez was tearing the cover off the ball in Chicago — he was slugging just .286 — but he only had seven at-bats in which to prove he belonged.

Heyward is batting eighth and playing right tonight. Closing out the Cubs order is Nick Madrigal playing second.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm CT and the game is being broadcast on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.

Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup at Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/K8CyQ0oBYT

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 1, 2022