Dave Roberts Keeps Latest Changes in Lineup vs. Cubs

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for a crucial home stand against the Chicago Cubs after struggling against two divisional opponents.

The Cubs are on a nine-game winning streak entering their series against the Dodgers. They have a good amount of motivation as well, with two big narratives heading into Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers did not retain Michael Conforto after he failed to make the team’s postseason roster and had an awful regular season.

Instead, Los Angeles went after Cubs free agent Kyle Tucker, who inked a $240 million deal, while Confort signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Cubs, serving as a swap.

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Apr 21, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) conducts his pregame interview with the press before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Conforto has been surprisingly productive for the Cubs in small bursts, while Tucker has not been hitting as expected to start the year off.

As a result, Dave Roberts moved Tucker down the order to the No. 4 spot, swapping with Freddie Freeman, who is the default No. 4.

He debuted the change last time out, and it remains in the first game of the series.

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Dodgers lineup vs. Cubs on Friday​

1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Freddie Freeman, 1B
3. Will Smith, C
4. Kyle Tucker, RF
5. Teoscar Hernandez, LF
6. Max Muncy, 3B
7. Andy Pages, CF
8. Hyeseong Kim, SS
9. Alex Freeland, 2B
P. Emmet Sheehan, RHP

Will Smith gets the start on Friday after sitting on Thursday, allowing Teoscar Hernandez to move down to the fifth spot.

Other than that move, the Dodgers are sticking with a similar look and feel to their last lineup. The bottom of the order in the 6, 7, and 8 spots has really delivered, and they will look to continue doing so with Ohtani and Tucker.

Muncy and Pages, especially, have been the two best bats in the lineup over the start.

Sheehan has been inconsistent from outing to outing, and the Cubs will be a test for him, although he will have the support of the home crowd.

Finally, the bullpen will be in good shape and rested, with the top of the rotation going deep into games, helping to provide cover, if needed, for Sheehan or Roki Sasaki on Saturday.

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