The bottom third of the Cubs’ batting order was approaching. Traditionally, that’s not the strongest part of the request for a National League team.
But this was the year of the universal designated hitter. And this was a team with more hitters than they could pack in nine places.
The Reds made a pitching change in the seventh inning on Tuesday that would immediately fail.
Through the three games the Cubs played against the Reds this week (Wednesday’s series finale was postponed due to rain), Cubs manager David Ross continually adjusted the order’s ending. And yet it always produced races.
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“We have good players at the bottom of that lineup,” said Ross. “… The more good players you put into the lineup, that will happen. And that’s what we feel, this DH gives us a bit of length there. “
The men responsible for the order’s success fund so far this season are:
Ian Happ, who has hit ninth for the most part this season, but also took a turn at the seven-hole hole. He has hit two home runs this season, the team’s second highest.
Victor Caratini, the reserve catcher who has been the Cubs DH for more than any other player this season.
Nico Hoerner, whose rookie status is still intact this year but has a .389 batting average.
David Bote, a versatile infielder who has only had 10 at bat but reached the base in seven of them.
Jason Kipnis, who hit the Cubs’ only triple of the season.
Through all its iterations, the bottom third of the Cubs’ order has combined to hit .346 so far this season. Happ, Hoerner and Bote lead the team in RBIs with five each.
“With the bats we have hit one and two in the lineup,” said Hoerner, “not typical of the best of the order, perhaps it is much more important for us at the bottom of the lineup to reach the base and produce.” . Because if we are able to do that, then we have a chance to put in really great innings because that creates great depth in the lineup. ”
This year Ross named Kris Bryant as the starting hitter, followed by Anthony Rizzo. Bryant has more traditionally hit second or third, and Rizzo third or fourth.
“It’s really good to see the guys come out and have good at-bats,” Bryant said, “work counts, hit the ball.”
On Wednesday, 7-8-9 in the Cubs’ batting order, the Reds pulled starter Sonny Gray. He had thrown 6 2/3 one-hit inning, but his pitch count was increasing.
Left-hander Brooks Raley entered to face Happ.
Raley walked with Happ to load the bases. Then he hit Caratini and scored a run.
Hoerner approached the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. He hit a dirt ball in the middle to launch two more runs. The Cubs had already started a three-run rally by the time the top of the order entered the fun.
Of course, the rally didn’t end with changing the bottom line on Wednesday: the Cubs lost 12-7. But if the bottom of the lineup continues to produce the way the year should start, it will make its mark on the season.
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