After three games with corner infielder Jeimer Candelario, it’s becoming clearer how Cubs manager David Ross will rejigger his lineups to account for his addition.
Candelario got off to a hot start, going 8-for-9 in his first two games after the Cubs acquired him from the Nationals. He became the first major-leaguer since at least 1900 to have at least eight hits in his first two games after coming over from another team midseason.
“The value he brings to just deepen our lineup,” Ross said, “and [hit from] both sides of the plate, it makes really tough matchups for the other manager, as well.”
Candelario’s addition has created a ripple effect, giving right fielder Seiya Suzuki a break from the starting lineup for two of the last three games, both against right-handed pitchers.
“Seiya is healthy and will be available off the bench,” Ross said Thursday before the game.
Ross plans to pencil Suzuki into the lineup against Braves left-hander Max Fried on Friday, a quick turnaround to a day game after a night game.
“We’ve got a lot of really good players that are swinging the bat well,” Ross said. “And it gives us some flexibility on guys that are working on some things, been grinding. And getting Candy here allows us some flexibility, and [Mike] Tauchman is swinging the bat well.”
Suzuki, who was batting .252 entering Thursday, seemed to have found his rhythm at the plate in early July. But in nine games since getting three hits against the Cardinals on July 22, Suzuki slid back into a mini-slump, hitting .143. A mental and physical break could help jump-start his offense. It’s a tactic Ross has leaned on before.
“There’ll be some guys in this stretch, some every-day players, that are going to get some time off,” Ross said. “And [Suzuki is] going to be a big part of our success. He’s one of our best players. So we’re going to need him swinging the bat well. His defense out there is elite. And he’ll play a lot of meaningful games for us.”
Before the Cubs acquired Candelario, Tauchman would often start in center field against right-handed pitching, and Cody Bellinger would move to first base to get both left-handed bats in the lineup. Now, leaving Bellinger in center, moving Tauchman to right and playing Candelario, a switch hitter, at first base gives the Cubs an extra matchup advantage. So far, Nick Madrigal has been getting the nod at third base against right-handers.
Against Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson on Wednesday, Candelario started at third base. Patrick Wisdom, who has mostly played third this season, moved to first. Wisdom is expected to play first base more consistently against lefties.
Cubs make up ground
With their 5-3 victory Thursday against the Reds, the Cubs claimed the series by winning three of four games. They knocked Cincinnati down to second in the National League Central and climbed to 2½ games back of the division-leading Brewers.
“We took three of four from a really good team, so that in and of itself is huge,” said starter Jameson Taillon, who held the Reds to two runs in five-plus innings. “And I feel like we did it in a lot of different ways. I feel like we slugged a little bit. I feel like we walked a little bit. I feel like we made some great defensive plays. I feel like a night like tonight, I grinded, kept us in the game, and then our bullpen just had an electric night.”
