The Cubs are back home Friday to take on the closest thing to a big league team Pirates GM Ben Cherington could assemble with owner Bob Nutting’s money. Perhaps that means the Cubs can have a get-right game or three after that stinker Wednesday night.
Kris Bryant leads off at third as he looks to make good on the hard contact he’s been making lately. Anthony Rizzo bats second at first, Javy Báez is at short, and Kyle Schwarber is in left. Willson Contreras is the DH, Jason Heyward is in right, Victor Caratini will catch, Jason Kipnis is at second, and Ian Happ is in center.