Chicago Cubs Lineup (7/19/26): Imanaga Pitching for Series Win
After coming out flat in the series opener, the Cubs rode the wave of emotions from the celebration of the 2016 champions to an easy win. With that in mind, I think it’d be best for everyone if this franchise avoids turning into the other Chicago team that used to call Wrigley Field home. Which is to say that living in the present instead of incessantly lauding past glories may make it easier to find the ultimate success again.
That isn’t to say the front office is content to revel in the events of 10 years ago, and I’m sure they are hard at work combing through all the available options for strengthening the roster. The most obvious need remains on the pitching staff, where the biggest additions of late have been former Cubs and recent castoffs Drew Pomeranz and Aaron Civale. Very exciting stuff.
Shota Imanaga was effectively their biggest free agent pitching addition when he accepted the qualifying offer, and he’s pitched at times like someone who was well worth that investment. At other times, however, he’s looked like the guy whose option was declined. The last few games have gone well, but he has gone more than six innings only once in the last two months. He’ll get a little help this afternoon from wind that is blowing in from center at a brisk clip.
The lineup is almost the same as yesterday’s, with Pete Crow-Armstrong in center, Seiya Suzuki in right, and Michael Busch at first. Alex Bregman is at third, Ian Happ is in left, Nico Hoerner is at second and Pedro Ramírez is the DH. Carson Kelly is the catcher and Dansby Swanson is at short.
They are facing 26-year-old Zebby Matthews, who looks like he just arrived on a tractor he borrowed from his grand-daddy’s farm in Cullowhee, North Carolina after bailing hay all weekend. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, he probably could have played linebacker at Western Carolina. Instead, Daniel Zebulon rode his mid-90s fastball and wide mix of secondaries to a strong college career on the mound that saw him drafted in the eighth round of the 2022 Draft.
He moved quickly and debuted just two years later, but his numbers have been very pedestrian in parts of three seasons. They’ve gotten steadily better, though, and his slider/curve combo has been effective. His issue is that he throws too many strikes without missing barrels, which has led to 14 homers in just 67 innings this season.
Matthews has pitched to mild traditional platoon splits, though he’s been much worse on the road this season. Like Imanaga, the wind should help him to tamp down that unsightly .522 slugging allowed when he’s a visitor. The Zebster has never faced any of these Cubs hitters, so there’s nothing in his history to suggest how he’ll perform against them this afternoon.
I’m predicting several Cubs will crash into his fastball, sending satellites onto the crowded streets and leaving him under the table and dreaming about what could have been. First pitch is at 1:20pm CT on Marquee and The Score.
