May 27--The Chicago Cubs have radically adjusted their lineup Wednesday night in an effort to solve Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer.
Chris Coghlan, who normally bats seventh, will move up to the leadoff spot. Leadoff batter Dexter Fowler will bat cleanup for the first time this season. Fowler is 4-for-13 lifetime against Scherzer with three RBIs.
Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant will switch places, with Rizzo moving to the second spot and Bryant hitting behind him.
Junior Lake will receive a rare start and bat sixth. David Ross, will start behind the plate with Jon Lester on the mound, is 3-for-9 lifetime against Scherzer.
Ross and Fowler are the only active Cubs players with more than three career at-bats against Scherzer, who has a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings at Wrigley Field. Scherzer has limited opponents to a .198 batting average this season, including a .157 mark against right-handed hitters.
Here's the Cubs' lineup:
Coghlan lf
Rizzo 1b
Bryant 3b
Fowler cf
Castro ss
Lake rf
Ross c
Lester p
A. Russell 2b
