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NEW YORK — Chris Valaika will start Friday night in place of slumping Luis Valbuena when the Chicago Cubs face the New York Mets.
Valbuena is in a 1-for-22 slump. Valaika hit a pinch-hit, two-run single to account for the Cubs’ runs in a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.
Ryan Sweeney will start in place of Justin Ruggiano, who is nursing tightness in his right groin.
Here’s the Cubs’ lineup against Zack Wheeler:
Coghlan LF
Baez 2B
Rizzo 1B
Castro SS
Castillo C
Alcantara CF
Sweeney RF
Valaika 3B
Wood P
