The Cubs have made a lineup change for Friday’s game against the Braves, replacing center fielder Albert Almora Jr. with Ian Happ, who will lead off. Almora has been dealing with an illness.
The lineup against right-hander Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 2.25 ERA) looks like this for the 1:20 p.m. start at chilly Wrigley Field:
1. Happ, CF
2. Tommy La Stella, 3B
3. Kris Bryant, 1B
4. Willson Contreras, C
5. Kyle Schwarber, LF
6. Addison Russell, SS
7. Javier Baez, 2B
8. Jason Heyward, RF
9. Yu Darvish, P
Note that Bryant is playing first base with Anthony Rizzo on the disabled list. Manager Joe Maddon expects Rizzo to be back in the lineup Monday.
Bryant took ground balls at first before the game and said of the most challenging plays: “It's just getting to the bag on time. With certain right-handed hitters, you're going to play with a little more pull, and as a third baseman, you want the first baseman to get there pretty quick, so you're not trying to hit a moving target.”
Bryant also said he actually likes feeling out of his element: “I kind of strive to be uncomfortable because it's the only way to make progress. I mean, anywhere from taking cold showers … to being out of that comfort zone is big in sports. You don't ever want to feel like you're comfortable or complacent because that's where you start to go backward.”
Cold showers, really?
“Yeah, absolutely,” he replied. “Sometimes I need to trick myself. Sometimes I take ground balls in a different position or try something new off the tee or in the cage just to switch things up.”
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein
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