Jorge Soler’s been the forgotten man in this year’s postseason. He’s started just two games: Game 3 of the division series vs. the Giants, and Game 3 of the NLCS, both Cubs losses. (Note: I am not implying cause-and-effect here, just noting the Cubs lost both games he started.)
Soler is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts this postseason. Nevertheless, Joe Maddon apparently has a hunch he’ll come through tonight in Game 2 of the World Series:
#Cubs starting lineup for #WorldSeries Game 2.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 26, 2016
Game preview: https://t.co/NRNdUDSjE5 #FlyTheW pic.twitter.com/zNUshsASNp
The other surprise, and it’s only a mild one, is that Willson Contreras is behind the plate. Jake Arrieta’s preference for having Miguel Montero catching him is well-known. But Joe obviously thinks it’s more important to have Contreras’ better defense back there tonight -- Willson is much better at throwing out and picking off baserunners than Miggy, and with the Indians’ running game, that’s important.
Don’t forget, as noted in the Cubs’ tweet, that the game starts an hour earlier tonight, at 6:08 p.m. CT. The game preview will post at 4 p.m. CT.