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Cubs Force Bregman Change Moments Before Blue Jays Game
Cubs Shake Up Lineup: Alex Bregman Moves to Cleanup Spot for Thursday’s Game vs. Blue Jays
Quick Summary: The Chicago Cubs are switching things up for their makeup game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday at Wrigley Field. Star third baseman Alex Bregman will hit fourth (cleanup) instead of his recent third spot in the batting order. Here’s everything you need to know in simple terms!
What’s Happening Today?
The Cubs are hosting the Toronto Blue Jays for a makeup game at historic Wrigley Field. First pitch is set for 1:20 p.m. CDT on Thursday.
A "makeup game" is just a game that got postponed earlier (usually due to weather) and is being played now instead.
The Big News: Bregman Moves to Cleanup
Alex Bregman — the Cubs’ big free-agent signing this past offseason — has been hitting third in the lineup for the last three games. But for Thursday’s game, manager Craig Counsell is moving him up to the fourth spot (called "cleanup").
Why does this matter?
- The cleanup hitter (4th spot) is usually your best power hitter — someone who can drive in runs with extra-base hits.
- Moving Bregman there shows the Cubs trust him to be that "run producer" in the middle of the order.
Thursday’s Full Cubs Lineup
Here’s exactly who’s playing and where they’re hitting:
| Order | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pete Crow-Armstrong | Center Field (CF) |
| 2 | Seiya Suzuki | Designated Hitter (DH) |
| 3 | Michael Busch | First Base (1B) |
| 4 | Alex Bregman | Third Base (3B) ← NEW SPOT |
| 5 | Ian Happ | Left Field (LF) |
| 6 | Nico Hoerner | Second Base (2B) |
| 7 | Michael Conforto | Right Field (RF) |
| 8 | Dansby Swanson | Shortstop (SS) |
| 9 | Miguel Amaya | Catcher (C) |
Note: The DH (Designated Hitter) means Suzuki only hits — he doesn’t play defense. This is used in all MLB games now.
Who Is Alex Bregman? (ELI5 Version)
Think of Bregman like a veteran all-star player who just joined the Cubs this year. Here’s his baseball story in plain English:
The Basics
- Age: 32
- Position: Third Baseman (the "hot corner" near the dugout)
- Bats/Throws: Right/Right
- Current Contract: 5 years, $175 million with the Cubs (signed this past offseason)
His Big-League Journey
| Year | Team | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Houston Astros | Drafted 2nd overall out of LSU (Louisiana State University) |
| 2016 | Astros | MLB debut — hit .264 with 8 HR in 49 games |
| 2017 | Astros | Won the World Series! Hit .284 with 19 HR, 71 RBI |
| 2016–2024 | Astros | 9 seasons, 39.5 bWAR, 191 HR, 663 RBI |
| 2025 | Boston Red Sox | 1-year "prove it" deal (opted out after season) — .273, 18 HR, 62 RBI |
| 2026– | Chicago Cubs | Signed 5-year, $175M deal |
What is bWAR?
Baseball-Reference Wins Above Replacement — a stat that estimates how many more wins a player gives his team compared to a replacement-level player. 2.8 bWAR this season = very good. 39.5 career = elite.
How Has Bregman Played This Season?
Here are his 2026 numbers with the Cubs so far:
| Stat | What It Means | Bregman’s Number |
|---|---|---|
| bWAR | Overall value | 2.8 (All-Star level) |
| Batting Average | Hits ÷ At-bats | .245 |
| On-Base % | How often he reaches base | .337 (very good!) |
| Slugging % | Power (extra bases) | .376 |
| Home Runs | Balls hit out of the park | 11 |
| Doubles | Two-base hits | 23 |
| RBI | Runs batted in | 48 |
Translation: He’s getting on base a lot (.337 OBP), hitting for some power (11 HR, 23 doubles), and driving in runs (48 RBI). The move to cleanup could help him get even more RBI chances!
How Are the Cubs Doing Right Now?
The Cubs are having a strong season and are in playoff position!
Current Standings (as of this game)
- Record: 66–49 (well above .500)
- NL Wild Card: 1st place
- NL Central: 2nd place, 5.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers
Recent Momentum
- Just swept the Los Angeles Dodgers (3 games to 0) — one of baseball’s best teams!
- That series win at Wrigley Field gave the team a big confidence boost.
What’s Next?
- Thursday — vs. Blue Jays (this makeup game)
- Weekend — 3-game series at Kansas City Royals (Kauffman Stadium)
Key Takeaways (Important Points)
Bregman is hitting cleanup (4th) for the first time in a few games — a sign the Cubs want his bat in a prime run-producing spot.
The Cubs are rolling — 66-49, Wild Card leaders, just swept the Dodgers.
Bregman’s track record is elite — World Series champ, 191 career HR, 39.5 career bWAR.
This is a makeup game — originally postponed, now played Thursday at 1:20 p.m. CDT.
Lineup construction matters — moving Bregman up puts more pressure on opposing pitchers.
Summary
The Chicago Cubs are making a smart tactical move by sliding Alex Bregman into the cleanup spot for Thursday’s makeup game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Wrigley Field. Bregman, a former World Series champion and one of the game’s best third basemen over the last decade, signed a massive $175 million deal with Chicago this offseason. While his batting average (.245) isn’t eye-popping, his on-base skills (.337 OBP) and run production (48 RBI, 11 HR) make him a perfect fit for the 4-hole. The Cubs (66-49) are surging — they just swept the Dodgers and hold the top NL Wild Card spot. This lineup tweak could help them keep the momentum going into a weekend series in Kansas City.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Why is this game on a Thursday at 1:20 p.m.?
It’s a makeup game from earlier in the season (likely rained out). Teams often schedule these on mutual off-days, and day games at Wrigley are common.
2. What does "hitting cleanup" mean?
The 4th batter in the lineup. Traditionally, this is your best power hitter — someone who can "clean up" the bases (drive in runners) with extra-base hits.
3. Is Bregman struggling this year?
Not really! His .337 on-base percentage is excellent. His power (.376 slugging) is down from his peak, but he’s still a productive, smart hitter. The move to cleanup is about maximizing his RBI chances, not fixing a problem.
4. How long is Bregman under contract with the Cubs?
He signed a 5-year, $175 million deal this past offseason. He’ll be a Cub through at least 2030 (age 36).
5. Can the Cubs catch the Brewers for the division title?
They’re 5.5 games back with about 47 games left. It’s possible but tough — the Wild Card spot is their more realistic path to the playoffs.
Article based on reporting by Jackson Kruse, Heavy Sports MLB writer.
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