Chicago Cubs Lineup (8/12/26): Peterson Pumping, Nats Rookie Makes MLB Debut

The Cubs and Nationals stood toe-to-toe in the middle of the ring last night, and the visitors were able to land enough big shots to take the win. Good thing heavyweight James Wood is on the IL, huh? Making the win even better was the fact that the Brewers lost, which moved the Cubs to within four games of the division lead. Now they get a chance to shrink the margin even further.

David Peterson hasn’t put up the most aesthetically pleasing line with the Cubs, but he keeps getting the job done because the dude gets grounders. Getting that strikeout rate back up sure would be nice, and it’d be even better if he dialed back the walks. Still, Peterson has been a steadying force at a time when the rotation has needed it.

Pete Crow-Armstrong is in center, Seiya Suzuki is in right, Alex Bregman is the DH, and Carson Kelly cleans up behind the dish. Michael Busch plays first, Nico Hoerner handles second, Tyrone Taylor is in left, and Pedro Ramírez is at third. Dansby Swanson rounds things out at short.

They’re facing 23-year-old lefty Jackson Kent, who will be making his MLB debut for the team that drafted him early in the fourth round just two years ago. The Roselle, IL native attended Arizona, where his numbers were particularly outstanding. That has been the case in the minors as well, with a 4.22 ERA that doesn’t scream for rapid movement through the system.

The southpaw has posted strong strikeout numbers with a three-pitch mix that includes a 94 mph fastball, an 86 mph slider, and an 85 mph changeup that FanGraphs grades as a 60 with potential to be even better. That’s the key here: potential. Kent has a chance to be very good if his stuff continues to develop and he keeps avoiding hard contact.

As with so many debuts, I could see this being either a coming-out party for Kent or a hit parade for the Cubs. Let’s hope it’s the latter. First pitch is at 5:45pm CT on Marquee and The Score.