Chicago Cubs Lineup (7/12/25): Hoerner Leads Off, Happ Bats 7, Boyd Starting

The Cubs played their second 11-0 game in the last five contests, but they were on the wrong side of this one as Cody Bellinger hit three more homers than they had total scores. There’s no point in rehashing the effort, nor do I have the time or inclination to break this one down very well.

Matthew Boyd has been excellent for the Cubs so far, good enough to make the All-Star team. But since the Cubs are keeping him from pitching in the game in order to manage his workload, MLB saw fit to replace him with a kid who’s only pitched in five games. Yep, Jacob Misiorowski is an All-Star. It’s pretty ironic that Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch remain on the outside looking in, even when one of their teammates is replaced.

Yes, I know you can’t replace a pitcher with a position player.

Nico Hoerner remains in the leadoff spot, followed by Kyle Tucker in right and Seiya Suzuki at DH. catcher Carson Kelly bats cleanup, Pete Crow-Armstrong is in center, and Dansby Swanson is the shortstop. Ian Happ slides down to seventh in left, Justin Turner is at first, and Jon Berti is at third.

Max Fried is going for the Yankees, so this will be a very tough matchup. The Cubs have actually hit lefties really well this season, it just doesn’t feel that way. And Fried isn’t just some geek off the streets; he’s 11-2 with a 2.27 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 119 innings. Did I mention he rarely gives up homers? Should be fun.

First pitch is at 12:05pm CT on Marquee, MLB Network (out-of-market only), and 670 The Score.