NEW-LOOK OFFENSE LOOKING GOOD
Bryant’s return, new additions will help lineup down stretch
The Cubs’ offense had a different look to it Tuesday.
The team made some upgrades at the trade deadline, adding Jose Martinez and Cameron Maybin to the roster, but it also got some inhouse additions with Kris Bryant and Steven Souza Jr. returning after extended absences.
“It’s awesome to add people, man, to add depth,” outfielder Jason Heyward said Sunday. “This is a strange season. It’s tough. It’s tough to stay healthy. Just the nature of the beast right now.”
The Cubs’ lineup looked deeper, more cohesive and, in the 8-7 victory in 11 innings against the Pirates, showed what kind of damage it might do down the stretch.
Manager David Ross was able to write the lineup card with everyone at his disposal, and besides the addition of Martinez, the biggest change was at the top. Bryant slid into the 2-hole, allowing the rest of the lineup to slot down, as well.
“I’m trying to find him spots to succeed,” Ross said. “The bench is so much deeper now, and you look around, you’ve got veteran presence.”
Bryant was the Cubs’ leadoff man before his 11-game absence. While he was sidelined, Ian Happ staked his claim for that spot. He has been the Cubs’ best hitter and a game-changer at the top of the lineup.
Happ continued to be the catalyst against the Pirates, sending the second pitch of the game 434 feet to right field for his 10th home run.
The Cubs’ offense has been trying to find its way entering the second half of the season, and multiple-run innings have been hard to come by. But the fifth inning provided the Cubs with an opportunity to witness the benefits of the roster shake-up.
Bryant led off the inning with a single and scored on Javy Baez’s double two batters later. Kyle Schwarber capped the inning by crushing a two-run blast to give the Cubs a five-run lead. The Pirates would tie the score with five unanswered runs to force the game into extra innings.
Ross has said for the last few weeks that the best was yet to come for his offense, and after showing flashes in Detroit and Cincinnati, the recent additions plus a healthy Bryant might be what the team needs heading into the final stretch.
“We’re starting to get some of those guys healthy, and picking up a guy like Jose Martinez is obviously nice,” Ross said Sunday. “We take it day to day. Hitting is so difficult. It’s really a daily process and a plan each day. I really thought things were looking good in Detroit, and you know they carried into [Cincinnati].”
The Cubs scored in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings before the game was delayed because of rain in the eighth. All nine starters for the Cubs reached base at least once.
“We’ll find spots for [the new additions] and continue to define roles and how they fit in,’’ Ross said.
‘‘I think it’s a really good job by the front office to help fill some of the holes that I felt we needed to fill.”