CUBS SETUP — The Chicago Cubs begin a new series against the Dodgers this week. Unfortunately, the series is in Los Angeles, which means we’ll be playing three consecutive late-night games (9:10 CT). I hate that. Here’s a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1, featuring Kyle Hendricks facing right-hander Walker Buehler.

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Ian Happ, LF
2. Danbsy Swanson, SS
3. Seiya Suzuki, DH
4. Cody Bellinger, RF
5. Isaak Paredes, 3B
6. Michael Busch, 1B
7. Nico Hoerner, 2B
8. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
9. Miguel Amaya, C

There’s only one change in the Cubs lineup tonight, and that’s Dansby Swanson moving to the second batting position, dropping Michael Busch to the sixth position. Normally, that’s the kind of move Craig Counsell saves for lefties, which Walker Buehler is not. In fact, lefties have generally hit Buehler better for most of his career.

Is it just Dansby Swanson’s hot second half? He’s got a 129 wRC+ since the All-Star break and a 143 wRC+ since early August. Busch, on the other hand, is 77 wRC+ and 77 wRC+ (again) over those same two cutoffs (40 wRC+ over his last 51 PAs …). So maybe it’s that simple. Swanson is hitting and Busch isn’t.

Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup:

1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Mookie Betts, DH
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Max Muncy, 3B
5. Wil Smith, C
6. Tommy Edman, CF
7. Gavin Lux, 2B
8. Miguel Rojas, SS
9. Chris Taylor, LF

Pitch competition:

Chicago Cubs: Kyle Hendricks, RHP

Kyle Hendricks just made two straight starts against the Pirates, though the second (and more successful) outing was a surprise when Justin Steele was cut. Like I said, he went well enough (5.0 IP, 5H, 2ER, 1BB, 5K) and you’d be thrilled to see him do something similar tonight against the Dodgers. Hendricks faced the Dodgers once earlier this season, allowing five earned runs on eight hits in just 4.0 IP.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Walker Buehler, RHP

Walker Buehler has made five starts since returning from the injured list on August 14th, but they haven’t been very good (combined): 17.0 IP, 13R, 10ER, 10BB, 14K. There hasn’t been an overwhelming volume of hard contact or barrels, but the complete lack of strikeouts plus too many walks (12%) and hits (.292 AVG) have done him in. I’d probably pass tonight if I were a betting man….

Broadcast info:

Chicago Cubs (73-70) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (86-57) at 9:10 PM CT – Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

Chicago Cubs:

Los Angeles Dodgers: