Morel is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

It's his second straight absence from the Cubs' starting lineup, though Morel did single as a pinch hitter Wednesday in Detroit. The 24-year-old is slashing just .107/.206/.232 over his last 63 plate appearances dating back to Aug. 3.

Morel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Morel will head to the bench for the second time in the series, perhaps suggesting that his status as an everyday player for the Cubs is on shaky ground. Though he hasn't been a complete zero for fantasy purposes with three home runs and 11 RBI in 18 games on the month, Morel has scored just five runs and hasn't stolen a base in August while batting a lowly .123. Rather than leaning on Morel as the Cubs' primary designated hitter, manager David Ross could consider rotating a number of position players at that lineup spot.

Morel is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Nick Madrigal will enter the lineup at third base and serve as the de facto replacement for Morel, who had served as the Cubs' designated hitter for each of the past 13 games. Morel went just 2-for-23 with eight strikeouts in the last six of those contests, however, so manager David Ross may just be giving the 24-year-old a mental break Monday.

Morel went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Morel started the game with a leadoff home run but didn't do much from there, striking out two times in his other three at-bats. Fantasy managers will still take the effort from the 24-year-old, who's been solid this year with 18 home runs in just 72 games after hitting 16 home runs across 113 games as a rookie in 2022. He's got two of those long balls in nine games this month, though he's also only batting .167 in August.

Morel is out of the lineup Friday against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Morel will get a breather after starting six straight games between DH and left field. The high-energy 24-year-old is slashing .350/.409/.600 with two homers, four doubles, 10 RBI, two stolen bases and nine runs scored over his last 10 games.

Morel went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's 16-6 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Morel hit a two-run shot in the third inning, his 17th home run of the season, and added another RBI on his 12th double. Despite the Cubs' acquisition of Jeimer Candelario at the trade deadline, Morel has stuck in the lineup, serving as the designated hitter each of the last two nights. With Candelario slotting in at first base, Cody Bellinger figures to play mostly in center, with Mike Tauchman also in the mix. Morel's playing time should be secure if he keeps delivering at the plate like he's done all season long.

Morel isn't in the Cubs' lineup Friday versus the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Morel will get a breather Friday after putting together a five-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-20 with a homer, six RBI and six runs scored. Yan Gomes will take over as Chicago's designated hitter, allowing Miguel Amaya to start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Morel went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored in Thursday's 10-3 victory over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Morel extended Chicago's lead to 3-0 in the first inning with a two-run double, extending his hit streak to five games. He's gone 14-for-41 (.341) with 10 RBI and an .877 OPS in 12 games since the All-Star break. Overall, Morel is slashing .281/.343/.891 with 16 homers, 48 RBI, 44 runs scored and four steals through 246 plate appearances this season.

Morel went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Morel went deep in the second inning against Michael Kopech, one of four home runs in the contest for the Cubs. The 24-year-old continues to display good power, as he now has an .877 OPS and 16 long balls in 58 games. He had 16 home runs all of last year in 113 games during his rookie campaign, so he has a good chance of setting a new career high in 2023.

Morel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Morel is 2-for-13 over the past four contests after sitting out one game with a neck issue, and he'll hit the bench for Sunday's series finale versus St. Louis. Patrick Wisdom is starting at third base while Yan Gomes rests his legs as the designated hitter.