Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell described the “veteran bench participant” narrative as typically “overdone.”
“However [Monday] night time is an instance of why that story exists,” Counsell stated earlier than the Cubs’ sport Tuesday towards the Rangers.
On Monday, veteran utility participant Jon Berti appeared in a sport for the primary time in per week, beginning at second base and batting eighth.
In his first at-bat, main off the third inning, he labored a nine-pitch at-bat towards Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and was awarded first when the ninth hit him. He stole second, after which third. And eventually he beat out the throw dwelling on Ian Happ’s grounder to first.
“Simply by way of instincts, expertise, he created a run,” Counsell stated. “And that’s why you get guys like that, proper? And that’s what your hope [is] from these guys that possibly don’t play so much with the character of our common lineup. Jon’s made an enormous contribution day-after-day that he’s performed. And … accepts what his job is, and I believe it makes him ready to, when he’s known as on, to do his job properly. And he’s completed his job exceptionally properly.”
The Cubs signed Berti to a one-year deal this winter, seeing his defensive versatility and athleticism as a complement to the roster. The 2022 stolen-base chief notched his a hundredth and one hundred and first profession steals on Monday.
Cubs first baseman Michael Busch, who hit a double and triple Monday, stated his at-bat and inning of the night time was Berti’s journey across the bases.
“That was an enormous run and an enormous at-bat, and simply such a person second for him,” Busch stated “… I don’t assume that there’s one option to rating a run. And when you can faucet into all of the methods to attain runs, I believe you would possibly as properly, particularly on an evening like [Monday], the place the ball isn’t most likely going to go as far or so long as you need it to.”
The Cubs would go on to beat the Rangers 7-0 on Monday, however these late-inning rallies weren’t a given on a frigid night time. On the time, Berti’s run gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead.
“I work arduous to remain mentally and bodily as prepared as I can,” Berti stated, “in order that when alternative comes, I may help us win.”
Chilly spell persists
The sport-time temperature Tuesday was introduced as 35 levels – one diploma hotter than first pitch the day earlier than. But it surely was nonetheless among the many 13-coldest Cubs video games recorded at Wrigley Subject, based on workforce historian Ed Hartig.
“You’ve received to acknowledge it, is the most important factor,” Counsell stated. “It’s a must to acknowledge, it’s going to suck on the market tonight. It simply is. However that’s a part of it, not [to] battle it. It’s going to suck, and it’s chilly, and then you definitely go from there.”
The Cubs have talked about utilizing the weather at Wrigley Subject, which was the least offensive-friendly ballpark within the Nationwide League, based on Statcast’s “park issue,” to their benefit even on offense.
“I believe we’ve completed a fairly good job of it,” Counsell stated of making an attempt to create a bonus from the chilly. “But it surely’s nonetheless going to be chilly tonight.”
