Schwarber ready for prime time
PITTSBURGH — It hit Kyle Schwarber — the magnitude of what he was about to experience— the night before.
The American League wild-card game between the Yankees and Astros was on TV on Tuesday, and when Schwarber tuned in, he admitted beingmore than a little anxious.
“The nerves really hit last night watching that game because I realized that was going to be us,” Schwarber said. “And in less than 24 hours. Then going to the ballpark, there are butterflies, and listening to the national anthem and listening to the crowd roar . . .’’ More butterflies. But once the game began, it “slowed down” for Schwarber, which is athlete-speak for not being overrun by noisy fans, high stakes, national TV and everything else.
“Once that first pitch happens, it’s game time,’’ Schwarber said. “It’s time to go, and everything starts to slow down. You feel so sped up when you’re spectating, and once you step on the field, you slow down.’’
About 12 months after getting drafted fourth overall out of Indiana University, Schwarber, 22, stepped on the field in June and became an impact bat. His big August regressed into a quieter September. But his October got off to a big start with a single in the first inning to drive in Dexter Fowler with the first run, then a two-run homer in his second at-bat of the Cubs’ 4-0 victory over the Pirates in the National League wildcard game. All this against Pirates ace Gerrit Cole. For Jake Arrieta, a three-run lead looked enormous.
“The home run gave us a cushion, and I was able to make pitches and not let the atmosphere get to me too often,’’ Arrieta said.
An atmosphere that didn’t get to Schwarber.
“You [never] think these guys are 21, 23,’’ Arrieta said of Schwarber, Addison Russell and Kris Bryant. “They don’t play like it.’’
Bryant, the likely NL Rookie of the Year, was 0-for-3 but played two positions and started a big double play with a backhand stop. Schwarber was the first Cubs rookie to homer in his first postseason game.
“We executed the game plan to a T today,’’ Schwarber said. “Dex got on base. We just tried to hit the ball hard and lay off inside. Don’t chase. Make solid contact.’’
Joe Maddon has said the most remarkable thing about this Cubs’ 97win regular season and what might follow — they’re off to St. Louis to begin the NL Division Series on Friday — is that they’re doing it with such a substantial rookie presence. Rookies combined for 66 homers, the highest by a Cubs rookie class and tied for the fourth-highest total by a rookie class in NL history.
“Everyone focuses on their skill, which is outstanding, but the thing that sets our young guys apart is they’re so accountable,’’ Maddon said. “Never one excuse coming out of their mouths.”
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