Chicago Cubs Lineup (6/10/26): Counsell Takes Sweet Time, Imanaga Pitching
The Cubs are in danger of falling below .500 with a negative run differential, which is slightly different from when they were 15 games over with a +56 run differential on May 8. They were out-homered by the Rockies in last night’s loss, which came as a surprise to roughly no one who’s seen them play lately. The good news is that they’ve got Shōta Imanaga going tonight.
Nothing provides confidence heading into a game at Coors Field like a fly ball pitcher who’s given up 14 homers in his last six starts and 10 in his last three. With Jameson Taillon out until after the All-Star break with a hamstring strain, Imanaga has a very good shot at taking over the MLB lead for home runs allowed. Barring a turnaround in his performance, the offense is going to have to do some very heavy lifting tonight.
As someone who types these up for every game, my biggest pet peeve by far is how late Craig Counsell submits them. He might beat the opposing manager a handful of times all season, but his lineups are often an hour or even two behind. That’s the case with this one, so I’m just going to paste the image from the mobile app.
They’re facing longtime Reds righty Michael Lorenzen, who came up as a starter before moving to the bullpen, then flipped back to the rotation with the Angels a few years ago. He’s been a journeyman since leaving the Reds following the 2021 season, pitching for the Angels, Tigers, Phillies, Rangers, and Royals prior to signing with the Rockies.
Lorenzen has been okay-ish, with enough flashes to offset what have been overall poor numbers for the most part. His strikeout rate has fallen over the last several years, matching a downward trend in velocity, and his stuff has taken a huge hit in the thin air. His might be the worst Baseball Savant page I’ve scouted yet, with a first-percentile run value of -26 comprised of bad results on all seven of his pitches.
The 34-year-old has always had a starter’s repertoire, which has enabled him to mix and match to tread water even if some of those offerings weren’t sharp. This season, however, he’s been unable to get anything working. Lefties are slashing an absurd .432/.486/.752 with a .526 wOBA against him this season, which makes the .306/.350/.408 line from righties look weak. Lorenzen has predictably been far worse at home, which bodes well for the Cubs.
If they can’t get it done against this guy, it might be time to write them off. Seriously. First pitch is at 8:40pm CT on Marquee and The Score.
