Chicago Cubs Lineup (8/19/26): Holmes Starting with Sweep on Line
Monday’s opener felt like a game the Cubs should have won handily, but last night’s seemed like the kind of contest they’d lose due to a lack of offense. White Sox bulk man Erick Fedde baffled them for several innings, making just three runs for the visitors feel like several more. Then it was time for Alex Bregman to do what he was paid to do, which is to provide a steady hand in tight moments.
In between his game-tying single in the 7th and walk-off knock in the 9th came a rain delay that was just long enough for me to watch My Science Project for the first time in roughly four decades. It’s one of those goofy 80s movies that can only be explained by cocaine and Hollywood’s ability to churn out several movies of a similar nature in short succession.
Like how Deep Impact was released on May 8, 1988, about a month and a half before Armageddon. My Science Project hit theaters on August 9, 1985, just one week after Weird Science and five weeks after Back to the Future. There is a very obvious Raiders of the Lost Ark ripoff at one point, though without the gruesome repercussions, and more than a few “that guy” performances. It stars John Stockwell, who is perhaps known for playing Cougar in Top Gun, and there’s also a really weird role for Dennis Hopper.
In any case, it was nice of the Cubs to allow me to revisit my past for a little while before eventually taking care of business. I’ve had a good few days for nostalgia, what with seeing Public Enemy and Guns N’ Roses this past Sunday in St. Louis. Getting to high-five Flava Flav, which I managed to capture on video, was a pretty cool moment for someone whose first cassette tape purchased with his own money was Apocalypse ’91… The Enemy Strikes Black.
Wait, I thought I was supposed to be previewing today’s game. Here’s to hoping the South Siders don’t strike black against Clay Holmes this afternoon. The recent addition was excellent in his last start, keeping the Cardinals off the board with just one hit and one walk over nearly seven innings of work. The Sox have done virtually all of their damage this series with the longball, so Holmes’ propensity for grounders bodes well.
Pete Crow-Armstrong has a chance to lead off his third game in a row with a homer, and he’ll do so while serving as the DH just to prove to Dodgers fans that he’s better at it than their lord and savior. Seiya Suzuki is back in right, Bregman is at third, Michael Busch is at first, and Nico Hoerner is the shortstop. Pedro Ramirez plays second, Carson Kelly is the catcher, and Tyrone Taylor handles center.
After it worked out so well on Tuesday, the Sox are going with another opener in this one. Sean Newcomb, no relation to Duke Nukem, will start the game after being held back in the bullpen for a possible save situation last night. The big lefty throws from a low three-quarter slot and uses a fastball/slurve/sinker mix aimed at getting outs on the ground. He has very short extension and doesn’t get much chase, but he stays away from barrels.
The bulk man figures to be José Urquidy, who was on the verge of becoming a Cub four years ago until Dusy Baker nixed an agreed-upon trade involving Willson Contreras. After going with disparate looks last night, Will Venable is doing the same today. Urquidy is an over-the-top righty who works much more north-south with a changeup/four-seam/sinker trio that sets up a curve and sweeper.
Urquidy has only appeared in eight MLB games over the last three years after missing 2024 and most of ’25 with a right forearm strain and subsequent elbow surgery. He appeared in only two games for the Tigers in that latter season, then signed with the Pirates in February. He pitched in five games before being optioned in April and designated for assignment in July, at which point the Sox picked him up. The stout righty made his first appearance for them five days ago, working 3.2 innings behind Newcomb.
The results have been very bad since 2023, which is to be expected from a guy who tops out at 93 mph with less extension than 93% of his peers. Urquidy is a fly-ball pitcher who has made more than a few mistakes in the rare time that he’s been healthy, though some of that can be attributed to bad luck. Even after being burned by saying the Cubs would tag Fedde, I feel like going back to that well today.
This matchup heavily favors the home team, and the Cubs really need to take advantage of it with the Brewers once again playing out of their minds. After taking three of four from the Dodgers, the Crew won 22-0 last night against the Mariners. Yikes.
First pitch is at 1:20pm CT on Marquee and The Score.
