The Cubs’ lineup is rounding into form, which it proved by scoring a combined 14 runs in the last two games of the series against the Braves.
One reason is that new acquisition Jeimer Candelario continues to make an impact. A day after hitting his first home run since arriving in a trade with the Nationals, Candelario drove in another run. He has hit safely in five of six games since the trade.
‘‘He’s deepening the lineup, for sure,’’ manager David Ross said. ‘‘It’s turning things over. It’s been quality at-bat after quality at-bat from him. That’s why [the front office] identified to go out and get a bat. [His] ability to switch-hit and be in the middle of that order [is causing] matchup problems for the opposing team.”
The Cubs also stole four bases Sunday. They used their legs to take the lead in the fifth inning on a double to right by Cody Bellinger that scored a racing Ian Happ from first, despite Ronald Acuna Jr. cutting off the ball well before it hit the wall.
‘‘We have a lot of complete team players,’’ outfielder Mike Tauchman said. ‘‘We know that we have to score runs. We want to be as versatile as we can on offense. Being able to take extra bases, being able to move runners, being able to hit situationally, that’s just going to pay dividends down the road.’’
No Seiya again
As Ross indicated Saturday, struggling outfielder Seiya Suzuki wasn’t in the lineup again. Though Suzuki’s slash line isn’t great (.249/.328/.389), some of the underlying metrics paint a different picture. He’s averaging 91.6 mph in terms of exit velocity, 2 mph faster than last season, and he has a 48.6% hard-hit rate, 7.3 percentage points better than in 2022.
But the results aren’t great, and Suzuki is on the bench.
‘‘What we all know about players is results matter,’’ Ross said. ‘‘They don’t care if they hit the ball hard and they’re not falling. I think his internal confidence has to stay strong. No matter what I say to him, the hitting coaches or whoever is saying it to him, he has to continue to believe in himself and not try to change things and find his consistent work and find his consistent approach.’’
Kilian up, Kay down
The Cubs recalled right-hander Caleb Kilian from Triple-A Iowa and optioned left-hander Anthony Kay to Iowa.
The move was made to add some length to the staff, which has been pressed because of the absence of right-hander Marcus Stroman (inflammation in right hip).
‘‘[Kilian] is throwing the ball really well and deserves to be back,’’ Ross said.
In his last seven games at Iowa, including six starts, Kilian had a 2.43 ERA. In 13 relief appearances with the Cubs, Kay had a 6.35 ERA.
More on Stroman
Stroman, who isn’t eligible to return from the injured list until Aug. 16, played catch again. As for what’s next, Ross said the Cubs will take the remaining time to prepare him for his next start ‘‘health-wise, arm-wise, bullpen-wise, mechanics, stuff in the bullpen.’’
Ross also indicated Stroman probably will throw off a mound soon.
On Deck
CUBS AT METS
Monday:Drew Smyly (8-7, 4.71 ERA) vs. Kodai Senga (7-6, 3.25 ERA), 6:10 p.m., Marquee, 670-AM
Tuesday: Jameson Taillon (6-6, 5.36) vs. Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 6.60), 6:10 p.m., Marquee, 670-AM
Wednesday: Kyle Hendricks (4-6, 4.09) vs. David Peterson (3-7, 5.65), 6:10 p.m., Marquee, 670-AM
