The Cubs are probably coming off their best win of the season, beating Sonny Gray and the Reds Thursday night to win the three-game series and finish the year 6-4 against the preseason darlings of the NL Central. With 15 games remaining in the regular season, the Cubs have a three-game lead over the Cardinals in the division.
So, all things must be going great, yeah? Not exactly. The Cubs are starting a three-game series Friday night against the Brewers, as Jon Lester squares off against Brandon Woodruff. That pitching matchup obviously is in favor of the Brewers and it doesn't help that the Cubs don't seem to be at 100% availability at the moment.
Tonight's lineup for the series opener features Nico Hoerner at shortstop, which is more than welcome as Javier Báez was in desperate need of a day off.
David Ross also has Victor Caratini as the designated hitter, which is an odd choice given that Jason Kipnis is on this team right now.
Caratini enters Friday with a .619 OPS on the season, slugging just .295, as he only has five doubles and no home runs in 99 plate appearances.
Meanwhile, after struggling in August, Kipnis got on a hot streak in September, going 7-for-15, with a home run, two doubles, two walks and five RBIs prior to his last start on Tuesday.
But something must be wrong with Kipnis because after he struck out three times Tuesday night he hasn't been in the lineup and that has been with the Cubs facing three straight right-handed pitchers.
It doesn't make sense otherwise why Ross would decide to start Caratini instead of Kipnis unless there is some sort of nagging injury.
The team hasn't said anything about Kipnis' status, so that's only adding to the questions surrounding his absence from the lineup.
Something's wrong. It just doesn't feel right.
UPDATE:
David Ross said Kipnis is dealing with a minor injury.
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