Joe Maddon always says he likes to put struggling players in the leadoff spot to spark their production, which is exactly what he’s doing with Albert Almora Jr. Out of many possibilities among those Cubs in need of serious improvement at the plate, Almora has dropped off appreciably in June as his hard-contact rate has plummeted.
Kris Bryant bats second in left as Kyle Schwarber gets a break, Anthony Rizzo is at first base, and Javy Báez cleans up at short. Willson Contreras catches, Jason Heyward is in right, Addison Russell is at second, and David Bote takes over for Bryant at the hot corner.