The Chicago Cubs lineup features outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong batting eighth against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, May 1.
Crow-Armstrong opened the year in the cleanup spot, at least against right-handed pitching. He would typically bat lower in the order when Chicago faced a left-handed starter. Crow-Armstrong was bumped to eighth in the order after a slow start at the plate. He’s even batted ninth a handful of times this season.
A hot stretch to begin the week offered hope that Crow-Armstrong could dig himself out of the bottom of the order. He recorded hits in all three games against the San Diego Padres, including a pair of home runs. Crow-Armstrong launched a two-run homer and added an RBI groundout in the final game of the series on Wednesday, April 29. The groundout gave the Cubs a lead they wouldn’t relinquish en route to a 5-4 win. Despite heating up, Crow-Armstrong remains buried in the lineup against Zac Gallen today.
Chicago Cubs Lineup Against Arizona Diamondbacks: Pete-Crow Armstrong Hitting 8th Again
Crow-Armstrong has been at his best when batting at the bottom of the order. In 15 at-bats out of the No. 9 hole, he has a tremendous 1.063 OPS. Two of his three home runs this season have come as the eighth hitter in the lineup. Part of the reason he’s been better in those two lineup slots has been his uninspiring production at the top of the order. Crow-Armstrong has slashed a tepid .250/.294/.344 in 32 at-bats out of the cleanup spot. He’s 1-for-12 hitting sixth or seventh this season.
Chicago hit Crow-Armstrong fourth in the lineup for the majority of his reps last season. PCA was in the cleanup spot for 223 at-bats. He delivered a solid .776 OPS. The No. 7 spot was his second-most popular position in the lineup. He spent 147 ABs there, and delivered a strong .908 OPS. Crow-Armstrong had just 19 at-bats all season in which he batted eighth or ninth in 2025.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Cubs Lineup Buries Pete Crow-Armstrong Against Diamondbacks appeared first on HEAVY.