The Chicago Cubs hope the ultimate month of the common season goes higher for Carson Kelly and Pete Crow-Armstrong than the final one.
Kelly is off to a fantastic September begin heading into the second sport of a three-game collection in opposition to the visiting Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, and Crow-Armstrong confirmed he’s keen to strive something to finish his droop.
After the Cubs (79-59) fell behind 6-1 within the collection opener on Monday afternoon, Kelly got here via with a game-tying two-run homer within the eighth inning and later delivered a walk-off single within the tenth to carry Chicago to a 7-6 victory.
Kelly hit .217 in August and hadn’t homered since July 21, a drought of 28 video games.
“Carson’s type of been battling it offensively,” Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell mentioned after the win. “He is been so necessary for us this yr, and he is been such an necessary presence on each side of the ball. I am simply comfortable for him. He was due for this. He was due for an enormous one.”
On July 10, Crow-Armstrong grew to become the fourth-fastest participant in historical past to file no less than 25 house runs and 25 stolen bases in a season, getting there in his 92nd sport. Nonetheless, since making his first All-Star look 5 days later, he has simply three house runs and 4 stolen bases.
Crow-Armstrong hit .160 in August, dropping his batting common from .272 to .250.
Within the sixth inning on Monday, with Braves third baseman Nacho Alvarez Jr. taking part in effectively off the bag, Crow-Armstrong laid down a profitable bunt single, setting the stage for a two-run double by Dansby Swanson that pulled Chicago inside 6-4.
“You then’re speaking a few ballgame,” Counsell mentioned. “That is most likely what was going via (Crow-Armstrong’s) head, too, is simply looking for one thing constructive that he may do.”
The Cubs plan to begin left-hander Shota Imanaga on Tuesday.
Imanaga (8-6, 3.08 ERA) went 0-2 in 5 begins throughout August, regardless of posting a 2.65 ERA.
He tossed precisely seven innings in every of his previous three outings, most not too long ago permitting three runs and 5 hits in a no-decision in opposition to the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
Imanaga threw 5 shutout innings in his solely look in opposition to the Braves, a 2-0 loss on Could 13, 2024, during which he didn’t obtain a choice.
Left-hander Joey Wentz will get the nod for the Braves (62-76).
Wentz (5-4, 4.92 ERA) is together with his third main league crew this season after being claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on July 11. He started the marketing campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Wentz completed 3-2 with a 4.73 ERA throughout 5 begins in August. He most not too long ago allowed one run and 4 hits in 6 2/3 innings en route a 12-1 win in opposition to the Miami Marlins on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old had allowed six runs, 9 hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings throughout a 12-7 loss to the New York Mets in his earlier begin on Aug. 22.
“I really like how he rebounded and was within the strike zone so much,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned after the Wednesday contest. “His stuff was actually good.”
Wentz has made 5 reduction appearances in opposition to the Cubs in his profession, compiling a 14.40 ERA in these video games and not using a choice. He had three outings vs. Chicago earlier this yr and allowed a complete of 4 runs on 5 hits in three innings.
The Braves made a transfer on Monday with an eye fixed on the 2026 season, claiming infielder Ha-Seong Kim off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays. Kim, who has been on the 10-day injured record since Aug. 21 with decrease again irritation, is anticipated to be activated on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old, who performed simply 24 video games (.214 common) for the Rays after signing as a free agent throughout the offseason, is anticipated to bolster the center of the Atlanta infield.
–Discipline Degree Media
