The Chicago Cubs are facing backlash after keeping Dansby Swanson at shortstop for Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, with many fans calling for a lineup change.
The Cubs shortstop is hitting .176 with a .280 on-base percentage and a .318 slugging percentage this season, and his name sat eighth in the order again against the Blue Jays. He has appeared in 71 games this season for Chicago, missing out on just four games this season.
The fanbase has called for Nico Hoerner to slide over to short and rookie Pedro Ramirez to start at second base. The Cubs used that same lineup in games when manager Craig Counsell sat Swanson in late May and early June. Ramirez has appeared in 15 games with the Cubs, batting .257 with nine hits, one home run and three RBIs.
Fans took to X early Friday morning after the team released their lineup ahead of the matinee matchup, aiming their frustrations over the alignment.
“Where is Pedro Ramirez? If Counsell refuses to play him he needs to be getting AB’s at Iowa not being a forgotten man on the Cub bench,” a fan said.
Another said, “Hoerner SS Pedro 2B there I fixed it.”
This fan added, “I cant..... Stop putting Swanson & Nico in the same lineup. One HAS to go for a week or series at minimum. This should've happened 2 weeks ago CRAIG!!!”
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Swanson homered in Wednesday's 8-5 win over the Colorado Rockies, and the Cubs entered Friday at 39-26, in contention in the National League Central. The decision leaves Counsell to weigh Swanson's defense against the calls for more offense as Chicago tries to stay in the race.
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