El Mago bullet
In what has turned into a long, strange summer for the Cubs, can MVP candidate Javier Baez be the perfect remedy for what ails them?
When first baseman Anthony Rizzo was sidelined with back spasms early in the season, Javier Baez seemed immune to a 28-degree wind chill when he ripped a game-tying, bases-clearing double against the Braves on April 14 at Wrigley Field.
And when injuries sidelined third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Addison Russell during June, July and August, Baez filled in capably, as evidenced when he sprinted past the third-base line to catch a foul popup before tumbling into the Wrigley Field stands June 5 and when he darted into shallow center field to make an over-the-shoulder catch to preserve a victory Aug. 30 in Atlanta.
Even Baez’s legs haven’t taken a break. In one example, he stole home against the Mets on June 3 and, earlier this month, he twice made daring bursts from first to third against the Brewers that resulted in two runs in two games.
And while many Cubs players and others grumbled about returning to Washington for Thursday’s makeup game, Baez provided the spark with an RBI double, a home run and a safety squeeze single that scored the winning run in the 4-3, 10-inning victory over the Nationals.
But as far as Baez has carried the Cubs with his bat, glove and legs, can he carry them past the finish line in the National League Central?
After reaching the 30-home run, 100-RBI mark with a home run off Aaron Nola of the Phillies on Sept. 2, Baez went nine games without increasing those totals as the offense faded until his revival Thursday.
Manager Joe Maddon has tried to find spots to rest Baez as the 25-year-old has played in 145 of the Cubs’ 148 games — including one stretch of 88 consecutive games — and has started in 131.
“I have to watch it,” Maddon said. “He played in the All-Star Game and didn’t get the break. He had to answer to a lot of (MVP) talk. With the numbers he has put up, there’s a heavier load for him compared to the past. I have to be mindful of that. He has handled it great, but don’t assume it’s going to remain that way unless we rest him. I have to figure that one out.”
That could be one of Maddon’s biggest challenges entering the last two weeks of the season. Daniel Murphy’s lack of range at second base often calls for a late-inning defensive replacement. In addition to a sore shoulder, Russell has coped with a swollen left middle finger that has affected his hitting. For his part, Baez insists he feels great.
“As long as I follow my routine and get my body ready, I should be fine,” he said.
But in the nine games between his 30th and 31st home runs, Baez was 5-for-30 with 15 strikeouts, prompting one veteran scout to observe Baez’s concentration has wavered. Another scout cited fatigue for the slump.
The mere thought of getting a rest can set off a brush fire, as the Brewers’ Christian Yelich discovered when he got a break from the lineup Sept. 5 in a series finale against the Cubs after starting 55 consecutive games. Yelich took exception to suggestions he wanted a break, adding that several fans stopped him while he was trying to eat lunch before the game he rested.
“The funny thing is the guys who took my spot went 2-for-5, and I still got an at-bat,” said Yelich, whose streak started two weeks before his selection for the All-Star Game.
And yet, veterans point to Baez’s mere presence in the lineup as an asset.
“He’s kind of the heartbeat of our club this year,” Ben Zobrist said. “He has kept us where we need to be as players. In certain years, certain players lift the spirit of the team more than others or carry a team more than others, and he has been that guy for us this year.”
Rizzo, who has played in 155 games or more in four of his last five seasons, marvels at Baez’s ability to preserve his energy for the game and “turning on his brain later in the day for that mental grind.”
Baez rarely spends time in the clubhouse when media are allowed before games, but he has a reason. He’s either preparing in a training room or often takes the later of two buses from the hotel to the park.
“I just like to do my routine inside and be more private,” Baez said. “I can be more focused and do all I have to do.”
Said left-hander stater Mike Montgomery: “I think he’s just wired that way. With all of his ability, he can just show up and be ready to play every day. As a pitcher we have it easier from that aspect. But to be mentally ready, he has that carefree, have fun with the game mentality. The biggest thing is all the pressure, the big moments, they’re fun for him. It’s like he’s in the backyard, just playing baseball or a rec game. It’s the major leagues and tough spots, but he’s definitely not scared of the big moments.”