This probably isn’t your typical Cubs lineup for a rubber game against your toughest division opponent, but such is life. Ben Zobrist will be leading off at second, Jason Heyward follows in right, and Tommy La Stella bats and plays third.
Anthony Rizzo cleans up, Ian Happ plays center, Kyle Schwarber is in left, and Javy Baez will be at short. Rounding things out is Chris Gimenez, who caught Yu Darvish’s ballyhooed bullpen yesterday.
It’s a little disappointing to see Bryant out of the lineup, but perhaps it’s a mental break for him. The former MVP is in something of a mini-slump and he recently expressed frustration with his performance of late.