Cubs' Matt Shaw out of starting lineup vs. White Sox right-hander Adrian Houser

The Cubs’ lineup had a bit of a different look Friday against White Sox right-hander Adrian Houser, who is in the midst of the best season of his career. Switch-hitting Vidal Brujan got the start at third base over Matt Shaw, and left-handed-hitting Reese McGuire started behind the plate.

‘‘We’re just putting the left-handed hitters in the lineup today, based on Houser’s historical stuff,’’ manager Craig Counsell said before Houser held the Cubs scoreless until yielding a three-run home run to McGuire with two outs in the seventh inning of the Sox’ 12-5 victory. ‘‘Just favors left-handed hitters.’’

Shaw had been on a hot streak since the All-Star break, going 9-for-19 with three home runs in the previous six games. (He entered the game at second base in the seventh and doubled in his only at-bat.)

But while Houser (6-2, 2.10 ERA) has put together a dominant season, his splits are notably lopsided. He had held right-handed hitters to a .525 OPS, but lefties had managed a .796 OPS against him.

‘‘Adrian Houser’s been a big deal for their rotation,’’ said Counsell, who managed Houser with the Brewers. ‘‘They’ve got one starter who’s delivered 10-ish very, very good starts. That’s a great thing for a team.’’

Houser’s performance has put him in the middle of trade chatter. Starting pitching is in high demand for contending teams, including the Cubs, at the trade deadline.

The Sox, who are last in the American League Central, certainly are going to make trades at the deadline, but the Cubs are catching them on a surge. After winning Friday, they are 6-1 since the All-Star break.

‘‘They’ve probably committed more to some young players that, through the nature of being ready, they’ve decided to give them a lot of plate appearances,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘They’re talented young players, and I think that’s always good for a team when they do that.

‘‘There’s some hope when you do that — when you see young, talented players taking the field every day — no matter what the results are.’’

Injury updates

Right-hander Jameson Taillon (strained right calf) threw 47 pitches at Wrigley Field before heading over to Rate Field before the series opener against the Sox. He simulated a game without batters.

Taillon’s next step will be to throw live batting practice next week in Milwaukee before heading to Triple-A Iowa for a rehab assignment. Taillon has been out since the beginning of the month.

Reliever Porter Hodge (impingement in right shoulder) left for Iowa and is set to make a rehab appearance Saturday.

Right-hander Javier Assad (strained left oblique) pitched three innings in an Arizona Complex League game Thursday, with catcher Miguel Amaya (strained left oblique) behind the plate.

Both are set to continue their rehab with Iowa. Amaya is expected to be active Tuesday, and Assad is scheduled to pitch Wednesday, Counsell said. On his way to Iowa, Assad was to join the Cubs in Chicago for the weekend.

More draft picks sign

The Cubs announced they had agreed to terms with nine more draft picks. Only one of their 20 draft picks remains unsigned: Mountain Brook (Alabama) High School infielder Caleb Barnett, whom the Cubs selected in the 19th round.