Cubs Announce Abrupt Alex Bregman Decision on Saturday

The Chicago Cubs head into Saturday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park looking to even their series after a 6-4 defeat on Friday.

Third baseman Alex Bregman finished that contest 0-for-5, and the club has responded with a notable adjustment to the batting order, via Underdog MLB.

Bregman, who hit cleanup Friday, will bat second against the Reds. The move marks the first time he has occupied that spot in 59 games. Over that stretch he had been slotted third or fourth.

He has hit second 41 times this season, posting a .217 average in 191 plate appearances from the two-hole.

Overall, the three-time All-Star is batting .262 with 156 hits, 32 doubles, 26 home runs, three triples, 88 runs, 88 RBIs and three stolen bases across 151 games.

Bregman signed a five-year, $175 million contract with Chicago before the season and has been a fixture in the middle of the order for most of 2026.

The Cubs sit tied with the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres for the National League’s top wild-card position, holding the tiebreaker over both clubs.

Chicago has gone 4-6 in its last 10 games and will send left-hander Matthew Boyd to the mound for his 21st start. Boyd enters the outing 8-5 with a 4.16 ERA over 114.2 innings after taking the loss in his previous appearance against Pittsburgh.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, is 72-82 and already eliminated from postseason contention.

The Reds have dropped seven of their last 10 and will counter with Nick Lodolo. Their announced lineup features Elly De La Cruz at shortstop and a mix of veterans and younger players throughout the order.

Managerial decisions like this late-season shuffle often reflect both recent production and the need to generate more early offense.

Bregman has shown power and plate discipline all year, yet his numbers from the two-spot have lagged behind his overall line. Placing him immediately after leadoff hitter Pete Crow-Armstrong could create more opportunities with runners on base and give the Cubs a different look against Lodolo.

Whether the change produces immediate results remains to be seen, but it underscores how even a veteran on a long-term deal can be asked to adapt as Chicago tries to lock down a playoff spot.

The Cubs will look to bounce back Saturday and keep their wild-card standing intact heading into the final stretch of the regular season.