Chicago Cubs Lineup (8/20/25): Same Order as Last Night, Rea Starting
The Cubs followed up a poor effort on Monday that looked way too much like the norm of late with a doubleheader sweep in which they looked very much like the better team. Now they carry a series lead into tonight’s game, giving them a chance to secure a winning record against MLB’s best team this season. They could also make the division look a little more competitive, but one step at a time here.
Colin Rea can help the Cubs take the first step with another solid outing like the one he had against the Pirates just a few days ago. Rea allowed only one run, the fifth time he’s done so in eight starts. Of course, one of those other three outings came against the Brewers a little less than a month ago. Rea gave up four runs in as many innings, striking out just two batters while surrendering nine hits.
He has to do better and the bats need to keep making the most of their opportunities. It’s the same lineup as last night, with Michael Busch leading off at first, Ian Happ in left, Seiya Suzuki at DH, and Pete Crow-Armstrong playing center. Carson Kelly does the catching, Nico Hoerner is at second, Caissie is in right, Dansby Swanson plays short, and Matt Shaw is at third.
The Cubs weren’t able to capitalize on a shaky start from Jacob Misiorowski when they last faced him, and they ended up falling after getting three runs in the opening frame. Once he escaped a jam and got rolling, the rookie righty cruised through three more innings. He was diagnosed with a left tibia contusion and placed on the IL a few days later, then had a terrible outing in Cincinnati in which he recorded only four outs.
Misiorowski has completed six innings twice in eight starts, but hasn’t gone past four innings in four of his last five. He’s got a tendency to spray the ball around a little bit, which hurts his efficiency. That huge fastball and nasty slider can get him out of jams, at times making him look like one of the lanky kids you see throwing gas against overmatched Little League hitters.
Even if you’re not super familiar with the young righty who earned an All-Star nod after just five MLB starts, there’s really not much to look at here. He will routinely top triple digits and his slider sits mid-90s, with both looking jumping on batters due to his 7.5-foot extension. His splits are pronounced, with left-handed hitters getting a much better look at his stuff to drive higher on-base and slugging percentages.
Also of note, The Miz has been far better at home. Like, extraordinarily better. Three of the four homers he’s given up have been on the road, and his .337 wOBA allowed is 120 points higher than when he’s in Milwaukee. His 7.36 road ERA from four starts and just 14.2 innings offers more than a glimmer of hope that the Cubs can build on yesterday’s momentum for another big win.
First pitch is at 7:05pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.
