Chicago Cubs Lineup (5/15/24): Tauchman Leads Off, M&M Middle Infield, Assad Starting

I typically enjoy writing these posts, but I’m boycotting detailed breakdowns until the Cubs score some flippin’ runs. Do you hear that, Cubs? Bare bones writeups and no one gets their name written out until I see crooked numbers again! That should get things moving in the right direction.

Javier Assad will be the third Cubs starter in a row to face the Braves with a perfect record and a sub-2.00 ERA. Shota Imanaga is still spotless with a 0.96 ERA even though his team lost because that’s what happens when you don’t score. Jameson Taillon took an L on Tuesday even though he only allowed two earned runs, which is again what happens when you don’t score. Also, seven total runs kinda-sorta buried them.

It doesn’t matter how good Assad looks tonight if the bats remain stagnant against 40-year-old Charlie Morton. His fastball is down about a tick but still sits 94 mph with good ride, making it a nice complement to the curveball he throws over 40% of the time. Morton has reinvented himself over time, going from a sinker/curve combo to curve/four-seam. He’s even throwing changeups at an 11% clip, though that’s just a show-me offering.

Maybe the Cubs can show us something tonight and make the game worth watching for more than a few innings. First pitch is at 6:20pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.