https://chorus.voxmedia.com/compose/5a10c61f-89c5-4f35-9842-7ee2c64b38db
By Russell Dorsey
The Cubs offense has been searching for consistency over the last few games and with third baseman Kris Bryant out of the lineup while he receives treatment on his left wrist, center fielder Ian Happ has gotten an extended look in the lead-off spot.
The switch-hitting center fielder provided a spark once again during Wednesday’s doubleheader leading off Game 1 by crushing his second-career, lead-off homer off the right-field scoreboard.
“Really just focusing on having good at-bats,” Happ said. “That’s my goal day in and day out, is putting together really quality at-bats. … Get on base for [Rizzo]. That’s what I want to keep doing.”
Even with Happ’s success, don’t expect a ton of change in manager David Ross’ lineup as his team still searches to find a collective offensive rhythm.
“I think what’s important is that as a manager, when you start shuffling the lineup all over the place, it screams panic in the locker room and screams a lack of trust in the players,” Ross said. “If we’re going to succeed, we need the guys at the top of that lineup to do well and I trust those guys. They’ve got a track record, they’re proven in this game and for us to do the things we want to do we have to have success out of those guys.”
“Moving guys all around has never been the answer, in my opinion from my career. Maybe we shuffle a guy. Ian obviously earned his way up to a little bit to the top of the lineup and is proven in his resume as it continues to grow. ... I learned early on you gotta have faith in your players if you want to if you want to go far and give them your trust and give them as much confidence on a daily basis as you possibly can for them to see.”
Happ has been the team’s best hitter to start the season and also its most consistent hitter. And as the early results have shown, he’s taking to the role atop the Cubs’ lineup.
In five games as the team’s table setter, Happ is hitting .353 (5-for-14) with three homers, four RBIs and four walks. He’s now slashing .315/.443/.681 with six homers, 14 RBIs and a 1.109 OPS this season.
Happ’s production has given Ross another viable lead-off option and while Bryant’s struggles at the top of the lineup has in some ways limited the offense, the Cubs skipper won’t lock himself into making a decision before Bryant returns from injury.
“When Kris comes back, we’ll assess,” he said. “I trust Kris Bryant anywhere in the lineup, especially up there at top. Do I think his struggles have anything to do with the lead-off spot? No, if that’s the question that you’re alluding to. But if it makes us better, at some point to move him down, then I’ll talk to Kris about that and get back to you guys about it.”
