The Chicago Cubs are a surging team in MLB right now, and their offense is extremely potent.
Chicago is going for the sweep of the Washington Nationals on Thursday, as they already clinched the series with a 12-6 win over Washington on Wednesday.
Before the series finale on Thursday, manager Craig Counsell announced a relevant Ian Happ decision.
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Cubs’ Ian Happ Back in Starting Lineup
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – JULY 12: Ian Happ #8 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with teammates following a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 12, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
After a day off on Wednesday, Ian Happ is back in the Cubs lineup on Thursday. Chicago is sending Kevin Gausman to the mound for the series finale, while the Nats are opting to go with Cade Cavalli. It was likely a scheduled day off for Happ on Wednesday, as he is usually a mainstay in the Cubs’ batting order.
Happ is batting fifth, which is his normal spot in the order.
Here is the full Chicago Cubs order for 8/13, per @UnderdogMLB:
Cubs 8/13: “P. Crow-Armstrong CF S. Suzuki RF M. Busch 1B A. Bregman 3B I. Happ LF P. Ramírez 2B D. Swanson SS M. Conforto DH M. Amaya C K. Gausman SP”
P. Crow-Armstrong CF S. Suzuki RF M. Busch 1B A. Bregman 3B I. Happ LF P. Ramírez 2B D. Swanson SS M. Conforto DH M. Amaya C
K. Gausman SP
Some other changes include Miguel Amaya forming a battery with Gausman; Alex Bregman, who hit three home runs on Wednesday, is batting cleanup; and Dansby Swanson is in the 7-hole for the series finale.
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Taking a Glance at Ian Happ This Season
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 12: Ian Happ #8 of the Chicago Cubs makes a diving catch in the outfield during the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 12, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Ian Happ is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season, and the Cubbies may want to consider keeping him around if he will stay at the right price. Happ has spent his entire 10-year MLB career in Chicago and is a clear fan favorite.
This season, Happ is batting .218 with 20 home runs, 22 doubles, and an OPS+ of 107.
He’s like Dansby Swanson; the average may be a little low, but he makes up for it with his power output.
Happ has also added 93 hits, 71 runs scored, 51 RBI, and 64 walks to this Cubbies offense.
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