Cubs Set Lineup for Wild Card Showdown vs. Pirates

The Chicago Cubs are looking for their first playoff victory in 12 years when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, and manager Joe Maddon has set his line-up for the winner-take-all-game.

Here is how the Cubs will line up against the Pirates:

1 Dexter Fowler – CF

2 Kyle Schwarber – RF

3 Kris Bryant – LF

4 Anthony Rizzo – 1B

5 Tommy La Stella – 3B

6 Starlin Castro – 2B

7 Miguel Montero – C

8 Addison Russell – SS

9 Jake Arrieta – P

The decision by Maddon to include five left-handed batters (including Fowler, who is a switch hitter) in the lineup is an interesting one, as lefties are batting just .227 this season against Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, but several of the Cubs’ southpaws have good batting averages against him. Rizzo has a career .353 average against Cole, and Montero is 3-for-5 lifetime against the Pirates’ ace.

Another player who could potentially have a good night against Cole is Castro, who has a .353 batting average in 17 career at-bats against him.

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