Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
The Chicago Cubs have to be feeling pretty good right now, entering Saturday by winning six of their last eight games. Not only that, but Kris Bryant is back after missing four straight games and Ben Zobrist is too, coming off the disabled list.
Since Zobrist has been sidelined, the Cubs have had Albert Almora Jr. and Javier Baez at the top of the order and it’s worked as both have 10-game hitting streaks. Joe Maddon isn’t changing things for now, as Bryant will hit third against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.
Zobrist is also back in the lineup. He’ll be in the seventh slot.
Welcome back, KB and Zo! #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/gB1Inx5qTy
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 28, 2018
Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
Before the game Bryant explained the process and decision-making waiting until today to return to game action.
Kris Bryant: "I needed to take it seriously and not try to go out there and be Mr. Tough Man and play. You get hit again and you never know what happens. Our training staff and our doctors handled it really well. As frustrating as it can be…it's really the smart thing to do."
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) April 28, 2018
Kris Bryant: "It's making sure that I get to see my kids grow up and stuff like that, because any time you're talking about your brain, a lot can go wrong if it happens again. I was just listening to the team doctor."
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) April 28, 2018
Bryant will wear the protective flap on his helmet.
Kris Bryant declined to say if he suffered a concussion in Colorado: "I'm not going to get into any of that. I'm not a doctor. I'm a baseball player."
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) April 28, 2018
Kris Bryant: "All I know is that I was just listening to the doctors and their advice saying I shouldn't get on the field too early, because it's only two games when I hope to play thousands more in my career."
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) April 28, 2018
With Zobrist back, rookie David Bote has been sent to Triple-A Iowa.
#Cubs option David Bote to Iowa to make room for Zobrist
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) April 28, 2018
Bote started two games in his one week up with the Cubs and did get his first MLB hit against the Colorado Rockies.
David Bote first MLB hit! #Cubs pic.twitter.com/gsM81qZt59
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) April 22, 2018
As for today’s game against Milwaukee, the Cubs bats will face right-handed pitcher Junior Guerra. The 33-year-old has only allowed one earned run in three starts this season, recording a 0.56 ERA in 16 innings.
Jose Quintana will look to continue his dominance against the Brewers. He’s pitched 15 consecutive shutout innings against Milwaukee and in three starts with the Cubs against the Brewers he’s only allowed two earned runs in 21 innings.
So far this season, the Cubs have beaten the Brewers five of six times, outscoring them 24-9 and shutting them out three times.
