Projecting the Cubs 2026 Lineup

Alex and Ty put on the hard hats as they dive into lineup construction for the 2026 season!

Support this Show and Your Health! 15% Off Spark (Instructions: after clicking on the link, click on the “Energy” tab to find Spark: https://www.advocare.com/home/?D=130822575

FREE Cubs Talk Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cubstalk

Go to www.setupman.net and subscribe to our mailing list to become a part of Setup Man Nation so you never miss a show! We also do free giveaways for those who are on our list!

Check us out on social media:
Instagram: https://bit.ly/setupmaninsta
Twitter: https://bit.ly/setupmantwitter

24 comments

  2. Just spoke with Counsell and we agreed vs righties move Busch up and vs lefties use Shaw:
    1) Nico
    2) Bregman
    3) Busch
    4) Suzuki
    5) Crowe-Armstrong
    6) Ballesteros
    7) Happ
    8) Kelly/Amaya
    9) Swanson

  3. Matthew Shawbrist is gonna f*** around and hit 25 bombs as the Utility Man.

    Love the Dumb and Dumber reference. Only 49 days until opening day. Time to get to the excitement level of Lloyd Christmas finding out that we landed on the Moon.

  4. This teams offense is at its best with Happ letting off. Was last year & was in 2023 as well. His skillset is best used in leadoff spot because his approach isnt conducive to having men on base. He will take that 3-1 pitch with 2 outs & man on 2nd & 3rd because he doesnt get out of his comfort zone well at all.

    CORRECT OPENING DAY LINEUPS:

    RHP
    Happ
    Busch
    Bregman
    Seiya
    PCA
    Hoerner
    MoBaller
    Swanson
    Amaya/Kelly

    LHP
    Hoerner
    Bregman
    Seiya
    Happ
    Busch
    Swanson
    PCA
    Amaya/Kelly
    Shaw

  5. Nico 2nd versus RHP is just straight up retarded. Cant believe you two agreed on it.

    Nico isnt even a top 5 hitter on this team. Only vs. LHP.
    Versus RHP its (Busch/Seiya/Happ/Bregman/PCA/MoBaller)

    Nico value with the bat is maximized by hitting with men on base which is 5th or 6th. Versus LHP leadoff works cuz he gets on base alot & has more slg/avg

  6. We really missing a true lead off hitter. Remember how good Dexter Fowler was. We need a new version. And I would like the cubs be able to bunt. Small ball wins at time. Moving runner up. Lfg cubs

  9. People are getting way too obsessed with Nico. Great player but having him number two against righties is just foolish! Definitely lead off versus lefties but nowhere near the top vs righties

  11. Vs left IDGAF about rlrlrl
    Nico
    Bregman
    Suzuki
    swanson
    Happ(gotta break up the righties )
    Shaw
    Busch
    Catcher
    Pca
    So much crappier than facing righties!

  13. PCA should leadoff. And have Bregman behind him, knowing what to say. He’d have a player/coach right there. He doesn’t have to be a regular leadoff man. It doesn’t really exist anymore. Put your spark plug In before you start the hot rod and take off!!
    If not it’s Nico. Same reason. Have PCA 2bd Bregman 3rd Busch … I’ll give u 2 winners
    1. Nico
    2.PCA
    3.Bregman
    4. Busch
    5. Susuki
    6. Happ
    7. Ballesteros
    8. Kelly/Amaya
    9. Swanson
    Swanson 9 tinstead of8 to maybe unclog the bases before the speed up top.
    I actually really like that. Ballesteros should be ROY!!
    Crazy spark plug lineup.
    1. PCA
    2. Nico
    3 Bregman
    4. Busch
    5. Suzuki
    6. Ballesteros
    7. Amaya/Kelly
    8. Swanson
    9. Happ
    I like the “backup” leadoff hitter in the 9 hole. I started that In my men’s league right before Maddon did it with CHC.
    Ballesteros will have a higher batting average and moving him up would be beneficial. Have catchers hitting behind him for base running.
    You can swap Seiya and Nico? I like contact/speed with bases loaded and 1 out.
    PCA will try that be that “cleanup hitter”. He should be 1st or 6th. Maybe he’ll be more patient batting first. That’s a thing sometimes. But then he can ambush one. I think play with it there’s so much potential. But Busch and Happ shouldn’t be leading off. Moises should and will hit 7th. Or maybe 6th. Potentially 5th, and maybe 4th? He can handle the bat and drive in that run by getting a sac fly, or bouncing out to Short.
    Get it done!! Don’t be scared to let the talented young players play and be in it!!
    Right in it!! GoCubsGo!!

  14. Or u could keep it the same 6-9? If Shaw is batting he should hit 6th/8th, or 9th. Maybe 1st sometime. If he finds a way to not get busted up and in with the heater when he bursts out over the plate if he brings the leg kick back…if not he has to find his rythym with his new approach. That’s a major adjustment . It was impressive.
    He’s better than I thought. He’ll win the utility Gold Glove. PCA, Nico, Busch, Bregman, Shaw, and maybe Swanson. Happ may get another one just by not making any errors. And a few sliding plays! GoCubsGo!!

  15. Good lineup. Busch will get better every year. Just watch. He is that kind of player. I watched him all thru HS, College, A/AA/AAA and it always happened. He can hit lefties as long as he plays regularly against them. If he plays all year (no platooning) he'll hit 40 home runs !!

  16. 1. Nico
    2. PCA
    3. Bregman
    4. Busch
    5. Suzuki
    6. Ballesteros
    7. Happ
    8. Kelly/Amaya
    9. Swanson
    Seiya Suzuki should and i think will benefit THE MOST from the ABS system!!!
    He always gets one really bad strike that puts him in a hole.
    It’s amazing really. In a bad way, it about to be good! If they keep it up.

  18. I want to test this in ST and opening day
    RHP
    1. Nico
    2. Busch
    3. Bregman
    4. Suzuki
    5. PCA
    6. Happ
    7. Shaw
    8. Dansby
    9. Amaya/Kelly
    LHP
    1. Nico
    2. Bregman
    3. Suzuki
    4. Busch
    5. Happ
    6. PCA
    7. Dansby
    8. Kelly/Amaya
    9. Shaw

  24. VS. RHP
    1. Busch
    2. Bregman
    3. PCA
    4. Suzuki
    5. Ballesteros DH
    6. Hoerner
    7. Happ
    8. Swanson
    9. Kelly/Amaya
    VS LHP
    1. Bregman
    2. Hoerner
    3. Suzuki DH
    4. Austin
    5. Shaw RF
    6. Happ
    7. Swanson
    8. PCA
    9. Kelly/Amaya

Leave a Reply