Chicago Cubs Lineup (9/29/24): Alcántara in RF, Vázquez SS, Kilian Starting Final Game of Season

Does anyone else feel emotionally drained after yesterday’s game? The celebration of Kyle Hendricks and everything he’s meant to the Cubs added quite a bit of meaning to what was otherwise another trudging step toward the end of the season. There’s just one game left and it really feels like they could just simulate it and get on with the Cubs-less playoffs.

Speaking of which, I’m rooting hard for a chaos scenario that sees the Mets and Diamondbacks win while the Braves lose. That would force a doubleheader on Monday in which the winner of the first game moves on and the loser would have to play a second game to see if they can make it to the postseason.

Caleb Kilian is on the mound to make his second appearance since returning from the IL and we’ll have to hope this one goes better. He served as the bulk pitcher in a bullpen game against the Phillies, going 5.2 innings with three strikeouts. The problem is that he also walked four batters and gave up eight hits, two of which cleared the outfield fence.

The lineup is a good mix of regulars and prospects, with Ian Happ leading off in left and Nico Hoerner at second. Seiya Suzuki is the DH, Michael Busch is at first, and Isaac Paredes handles the hot corner. Pete Crow-Armstrong is in center, Christian Bethancourt is behind the plate, Kevin Alcántara patrols right, and Luis Vázquez is at short.

I get the sense that there could be a hangover of sorts with this one, and that won’t be helped by the fact that they’re up against Reds ace Hunter Greene. Then again, they racked up nine earned runs in two previous matchups with the hard-throwing righty and could have his number again if he’s likewise checked out here in Game 162.

First pitch is at 2:20pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.