Dansby Swanson Showing Championship Effort with the Cubs
Down five, up five, you want your guys showing effort even if it is in a game in April. You absolutely love to see it from your big free agent signing who is coming in to change the culture and lead your team back to prosperity. A championship mentality from a championship player. That is exactly what the Cubs are getting from shortstop Dansby Swanson.
The Cubs won, what ended up being a laugher at Wrigley Field on Saturday, beating the Texas Rangers 10-3, behind 14 hits from the offense and another strong start from left-handed pitcher Justin Steele. The Cubs were up 7-2 with two outs in the eighth inning and while the lead was comfortable, Ian Happ made sure to put the game out of reach heading into the ninth. Happ delivered a sharp, two-run single to center field, but it was Swanson who gave Cubs fans an extra bolt of energy.
Swanson took advantage of a misplay by the Rangers on the throw-in from center field and he hustled all the way around from first base to score on the heads-up play that gave the Cubs a 10-2 lead. popping up and letting out a roar in front of his home fans.
Swanson was one of five Cubs players to record at least two hits on Saturday, his first gave the Cubs the lead back in the third inning with an RBI-single to right field that made it 2-1.
The shortstop has been red-hot since the regular season got underway, now hitting a team-high .429, going 12-for-28 in seven games. Swanson remains locked in the plate, proving once again that his abysmal spring training did not matter at all. The right-handed hitter has also drawn five walks to four strikeouts through the first week of games with the Cubs.
Cubs Offense Unloads on Rangers
The Cubs won a close one on Friday, scoring two runs on six hits, however almost everyone contributed in Saturday’s 10-3 victory. Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Patrick Wisdom and Nick Madrigal each had two hits, but Trey Mancini led the way with three hits in his five at-bats. Mancini drove in a run and scored once.
Ian Happ reached base multiple times once again, walking once and collecting three RBI to go along with his hit. Happ has gotten on base at least two times in six of the Cubs first seven games.
Eric Hosmer pinch-hit in the sixth inning and came through a base hit, getting it into center field past a drawn-in Rangers infield.
Patrick Wisdom Providing Power
The Cubs offense has been scoring without many home runs. Through seven games the Cubs have a total of six home runs and half of those are from Patrick Wisdom. The slugger hit his third off Martin Perez on Saturday.
Ian Happ and Cody Bellinger have one home run each and catcher Yan Gomes hit the team’s sixth of the young season in the eighth inning.
Justin Steele Continues to Roll
The Cubs have a pretty good thing going with Marcus Stroman and Justin Steele at the top of the starting rotation. The two pitchers have combined to give up one earned run in 24 innings.
Steele wasn’t completely on his A-game Saturday, walking four and allowing four hits, but he did limit hard contact against him and reduced the damage to only one run in six innings.
Going back to the start of June 2022, Steele has allowed one earned run or zero in 12 of his last 16 starts.
Jameson Taillon will make his second start for the Cubs on Sunday, as he’ll try to complete the three-game sweep against the Rangers. Taillon struggled in his debut, giving up three earned runs on seven hits against the Milwaukee Brewers last Sunday.