Cubs Beat Nationals – Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki each had another strong offensive performance as the Chicago Cubs reportedly beat the Washington Nationals. The pair provided Chicago with the run production it needed as the pitching staff tried to keep Washington in check. “Performances like this are particularly important for the Cubs as the club looks to build consistency and shore up its standing in the grind of the second half of the MLB season.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Injects More Energy
Crow-Armstrong remains one of the more interesting players in Chicago.
His elite speed and ability to defend have always been big parts of his game, but if he can increase his offensive production, it could make him a lot more valuable. And once he’s on base, his speed immediately puts pressure on opposing pitchers and defences.
His quoted contribution helped set the tone for a Cubs offence that wanted to attack early and create scoring opportunities against Washington.
Seiya Suzuki steps up in middle of lineup
Suzuki remains a key run producer for Chicago.
The Japanese outfielder has power, patience and the ability to drive the ball to various parts of the field. The Cubs have another dangerous presence who can turn scoring chances into runs when he’s producing on a regular basis.
His showing against the Nationals was said to be key support along with Crow-Armstrong.
Cubs Have More Balanced Offence
Chicago is best when it is not all about one star, but rather production from several parts of the lineup.
“Speed at the top of the order, power in the middle and disciplined at-bats make for a long day for opposing pitchers,” he said.
Crow-Armstrong and Suzuki are two different offensive threats, providing Chicago with more versatility in the makeup of a lineup and attacking different styles of pitching.
Speed Of Chicago Puts Pressure On Washington
Even when Crow-Armstrong isn’t hitting for power, his athleticism can change games.
He can steal bases, take extra bases and force rushed defensive plays, which adds another dimension to Chicago’s offence. He makes opposing pitchers pay attention to him and the hitter at the plate.
That pressure can lead to better situations for teammates later in an inning.
Cubs Pitching Does Its Share
Although the offensive highlights often take centre stage, Chicago also needed effective pitching to protect its advantage.
With few chances for Washington’s offence to score, it doesn’t have to feel like every plate appearance needs to produce multiple runs.
Good starting pitching plus good relief pitching is especially valuable in long stretches of games when teams are trying to avoid overusing their relievers.
Nationals Keep Developing Young Talent
Washington still is very focused on building around younger players who can contribute for several seasons.
Playing against clubs like Chicago gives those players a chance to face experienced major league hitters and pitchers in a competitive setting.
Even in defeat, the Nats can figure out who’s moving forward and what parts of the roster might still need fixing.
Crow-Armstrong Is Key to Chicago’s Development
The long-term development of Crow-Armstrong could mean a lot for Cubs.
He is already a plus centre fielder defensively. If he continues to hit the way he is, he could be a big-time player on both sides of the ball.
A combination of defence, speed and increasing offensive production could make him one of the most important pieces of Chicago’s future roster.
Sources
- Chicago Cubs – Official Game Recaps, Roster Information, and Player News
- Washington Nationals – Official game stats, coverage, and team information
- MLB – Scores, Box Scores, Player Stats and Standings – Official
- ESPN – Major League Baseball – National League – News, Scores, Schedule | ESPN
- U.S. sports coverage – Major League Baseball game coverage – Associated Press
