CUBS LINEUP — Walk-offs are fun, but let’s win this one by ten, cool?
Here’s a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 2 against the Reds tonight at Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
Nico Hoerner, 2B Alex Bregman, DH Ian Happ, LF Seiya Suzuki, RF Dansby Swanson, SS Michael Busch, 1B Matt Shaw, 3B Miguel Amaya, C Pete Crow-Armstrong, CFWith a lefty, Andrew Abbott, on the mound against the Cubs tonight, Craig Counsell is rolling out his versus lefties group. That includes moving PCA down to ninth, moving Dansby Swanson up to fifth, and bringing in Matt Shaw by way of Moises Ballesteros hitting the bench.
But instead of Shaw coming in to DH (where he could be easily pinch-hit for), Counsell has Bregman getting the half-day of rest. Logically, I understand wanting to get Bregman some time off his feet and to get Matt Shaw as involved as often and widely as possible, but I just hate that Ballesteros probably won’t be pinch-hitting and staying in the game thereafter (because Counsell presumably would do it for Shaw against a righty, but won’t for Bregman).
I don’t sweat these decisions as much as it sometimes sounds, I’m just laying out my immediate reaction upon seeing the group.
Other than that, Michael Busch is batting sixth and Miguel Amaya comes in to catch.
As you might expect, Andrew Abbott has traditional lefty/righty splits for his career. Though they are actually reversed in the small sample of 2026.
Cincinnati Reds Lineup:
TJ Friedl, CF JJ Bleday, LF Elly De La Cruz, SS Sal Stewart, 1B Nathaniel Lowe, DH Spencer Steer, RF Tyler Stephenson, C Matt McLain, 2B Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3BPitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP
Jameson Taillon just keeps having the most Jameson Taillon season ever: he’ll give up some runs, he’ll allow some homers, but he’ll also give you innings and, usually, keep you in the ballgame one way or another.
His last start, against the Padres, was actually his best of the year: 7.0 IP, 3H, 3ER, 1BB, 6K. He just happened to allow a couple of dingers, which, again, it happens. On the whole, Taillon has been there for this team and is the only guy routinely hitting 95+ pitches, which has its own value when the bullpen is as tired and/or injured as it has been.
Cincinnati Reds: Andrew Abbott, LHP
Andrew Abbott had a really solid 2025 season for the Reds, making 29 starts with a 2.87 ERA (3.55 xERA, 3.66 FIP). His strikeout rate wasn’t very high (21.8%), but he was not walking guys (6.3%) and not allowing a lot of hard contact or barrels.
But this season is not going his way thus far (5.97 ERA, 5.20 xERA, 4.93 FIP). So what’s going on? Well, he’s still getting a ton of groundballs, but the strikeouts have completely evaporated (15.2%) and the walk rate is way up relative to last season (9.2%).
And it’s not like this is one or two bad games. In fact, it’s sort of the opposite. Abbott had a great first start to the season (6.0 IP, 0ER) and a solid most recent start (6.0 IP, 2ER), but the five starts in between have been absolute disasters: 22.2 IP, 21 ER, 12BB, 15K … that’s an 8.34 ERA with peripherals that don’t look much better.
Again, he was great last season and good his last time out, so don’t count on an easy night. But he’s been more bad than good this season, and the Cubs are by far the best offense vs left-handed pitching so far this season: .279/.374/.456 (136 wRC+).
Broadcast Info:
Chicago Cubs (23-12) vs Cincinnati Reds (20-15) at 6:40 CT – Marquee Sports Network, 104.3 The Score
Cubs vs Reds – Key Injuries:
Chicago Cubs:
Hunter Harvey, RP Riley Martin, RP Ethan Roberts, RP Caleb Thielbar, RP Jordan Wicks, SP Tyler Austin, IF/OF (60-Day IL) Porter Hodge, RP (60-Day IL) Cade Horton, SP (60-Day IL) Shelby Miller, RP (60-Day IL) Justin Steele, SP (60-Day IL)Cincinnati Reds:
Eugenio Suárez, DH Caleb Furguson, RP Nick Lodolo, SP Brandon Williamson, SP Hunter Greene, SPCubs vs Reds – Wrigley Field Weather Report
Location: Chicago, IL Temperature: 54 degreesWind: Blowing in from right field, weak with moderate gusts
Tonight vs Reds: 54° ☁️ Wind blowing in from RF at 4mph? Gusts up to 12mph #Cubs #Weather
— Wrigley Winds (@WrigleyWinds) May 5, 2026Hence then, the article about chicago cubs lineup bregman to dh shaw in at third was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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