NL Central: Busch gets new lineup spot in Chicago
Jul 19 2025
The Cubs are in first place coming out of the All Star Break, but their lead in the division is less comfortable than it has been for most of the season. The Brewers stayed hot into the break and closed the gap in the division to a single game.
Just before the break manager Craig Counsell began tinkering with the lineup and the biggest change was moving longtime leadoff man Ian Happ down to sixth or seventh. Happ has struggled since returning from an oblique injury with an uncharacteristic .193/.293/.369 slashline in 215 plate appearances since May 20th.
Two players stand to gain plate appearances while Happ hits lower in the lineup. Against left-handed hitters the Cubs have opted to leadoff with second baseman Nico...
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