Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/6/25): Happ Leads Off, Tucker in RF, Brown Starting Rare Sloan Night Game
The Cubs are playing a late one today after getting Wednesday off, so what’s the over/under on the number of holes Ian Happ has played since Tuesday’s game? I’m thinking he’s around 72, but lifelong sports bettor Derek Stevens of Circa Sports would tell you it’s a bad idea to use a whole number for the o/u line. You can’t avoid seeing that guy during games on Marquee and he makes me think of what Tommy Callahan might have become following the event of Tommy Boy.
I mean, c’mon, a dude running an auto parts manufacturer eventually making his way out to Vegas and hitting it big with a casino and online sportsbook? Okay, probably not something Chris Farley’s character could have pulled off. So why am I rambling about something completely irrelevant to this game? I don’t know, maybe I’m trying to lure a big investment from Circa. Or maybe this is just the way my brain works.
Justin Steele was supposed to be on the mound in this one, but he was scratched due to flu-like symptoms. Ben Brown is taking his place, so we’ll get an extended look at the hard-throwing righty with the devastating curve. His last start came against the Royals and Cole Ragans, but the game wasn’t televised at all.
Ragans is a Cy Young contender but looked like anything but when he faced the Cubs five days ago (scouting report in link), giving up seven runs on as many hits. Two of those knocks left the yard, so it’s possible he was working on something particular and didn’t care about the results. That and the natural cycle of performance could mean we get very different results today.
Then again, having what looks like a regular season lineup could provide a stiffer test. Happ is in left, Kyle Tucker is in right, Seiya Suzuki is the DH, and Michael Busch is at first base. Matt Shaw is at third, Dansby Swanson is the shortstop, Pete Crow-Armstrong is in center, and Carson Kelly is behind the plate. Jon Berti rounds things out at second.
First pitch is at 7:05pm CT on Marquee.
a royal matchup 👑
Watch on the Marquee Sports Network app. pic.twitter.com/tlKWBSfuBm
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 6, 2025
