Ian Happ's Absence Impacts Chicago Cubs Lineup Strategy

Chicago Cubs lineup hit by Ian Happ 's absence

The Chicago Cubs faced a setback in their lineup as Ian Happ was scratched due to left shoulder soreness before the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday night . Happ , who was initially set to lead off and play left field , had to be replaced in the lineup due to his injury . This change impacted the team 's strategy for the game.

Mike Tauchman took over Happ 's spot defensively and was placed 6th in the lineup , while Nico Hoerner was shifted to the leadoff spot by manager Craig Counsell . Happ 's absence was a significant blow to the Cubs , as he had been performing well as the leadoff hitter since the addition of Isaac Paredes before the trade deadline last week . The team had been averaging 6.5 runs per game during this period , demonstrating his importance to the lineup.

The injury occurred when Happ crashed into the wall during the game against the Cardinals the previous day , while attempting to catch Tommy Pham 's triple in the 9th inning . Despite getting a glove on the ball , Happ was unable to make the catch , allowing Pham to score the game - winning run . Manager Craig Counsell commented on Happ 's condition , stating that he had hit the wall hard and was experiencing soreness on his left side as a result of the impact.

Happ 's absence also affected the team 's defensive alignment and batting order , leading to adjustments in the lineup . The Cubs had a strong record of 13 - 7 in games where Happ had led off , highlighting his importance to the team 's success . With Happ sidelined , the Cubs had to rely on other players to step up and fill the void left by their star player , in order to maintain their competitive edge against the Cardinals.

Despite the setback , the Cubs remained focused on the game ahead , with Justin Steele taking the mound as the starting pitcher . The team was determined to overcome Happ 's absence and put up a strong performance against their division rivals , the St. Louis Cardinals . The lineup adjustments made by manager Craig Counsell were aimed at maximizing the team 's offensive potential and defensive capabilities in order to secure a victory in the crucial series finale.