Pete Crow-Armstrong, key player for Cubs, continues to fuel the Chicago Cubs’ momentum as they seek a fifth consecutive victory, opening a pivotal three-game home series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Friday afternoon. His recent performances have been instrumental in Chicago’s recent success.
Crow-Armstrong’s Dual Threat on Display in Recent Games
In a tight 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, Crow-Armstrong blasted his 15th home run of the season, adding a crucial insurance run for the Cubs. This followed his standout effort the previous day when the 23-year-old center fielder stole his 15th and 16th bases during an 11-inning, 4-3 win. Achieving both 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases in just 56 games, Crow-Armstrong ranks tied for the fifth-fastest player to reach such a combination in Major League Baseball since 1900.
Baseball’s got a lot of funny stats,
Crow-Armstrong said.
It’s too early in the year for me to look at a stat like that and be really taken back, I guess.
—Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs center fielder
Power from an Unusual Zone: Crow-Armstrong’s Unique Hitting Style
The solo home run Crow-Armstrong delivered in the fourth inning against Colorado came on a pitch just below the strike zone, yet he managed to drive the ball over the right-field fence to give Chicago a 2-0 lead. His ability to generate damage on pitches outside the typical hitting zone is a distinctive quality praised by his manager.
It’s unique, the damage he can do below the strike zone, but that’s the point, it’s damage,
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.
When he gets a ball that’s just below the strike zone, it’s a little bit of his go-zone. It’s his hot zone. That’s really unique.
—Craig Counsell, Cubs manager
Strong Performance Against the Reds Sets Stage for Series
Last weekend in Cincinnati, Crow-Armstrong hit 5-for-13, driving in nine runs to help the Cubs win two out of three games. Overall, Chicago posted 28 runs across those matchups before their offense cooled off against the Rockies, scoring only nine runs in a sweep. This upcoming series will test the Cubs’ ability to maintain their offensive firepower at home.
Pitching Matchups Highlight Series Opener
The Reds’ left-handed pitcher Andrew Abbott will face Cubs right-hander Colin Rea on Friday, repeating the matchup from last Saturday when Cincinnati secured a 6-4 win. Abbott’s strong outing allowed one run and six hits in 5 2/3 innings, while Rea gave up six runs on seven hits over his five innings.
Abbott has been in excellent form recently, posting a 4-0 record with a 1.77 ERA in April. In May, he is undefeated in five starts, boasting a 0.70 ERA and not allowing more than one run in any appearance. His dominance places him as a strong contender for the NL Pitcher of the Month award.
Meanwhile, Rea holds a 3-1 record with a 3.28 ERA for the season and has a favorable 5-1 record across nine career outings against the Reds. However, his overall ERA of 5.88 in those games indicates some inconsistency against this opponent.
Key Players to Watch: Swanson’s Success and Hays’ Injury Status
Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson has performed well against Abbott, compiling two doubles, a home run, and four walks in 11 appearances, demonstrating patience and effectiveness against the southpaw. Abbott’s career record against the Cubs stands at 1-0 with a 3.10 ERA.
On the Reds’ side, designated hitter Austin Hays left Wednesday’s game after fouling a pitch off his left foot. Following an initial X-ray that revealed inconclusive results, the team plans to conduct a scan on Thursday to assess the injury’s severity. Hays has been a valuable offensive contributor, batting .303 with six home runs and 25 RBIs in 31 games.
We got him X-rayed, and it’s inconclusive,
Reds manager Terry Francona said.
So we’re going to get him scanned (Thursday morning). You could tell he was hurting.
—Terry Francona, Reds manager
Implications of the Series for Cubs’ Continued Success
The outcome of this series will play a significant role in the Cubs’ efforts to solidify their position in the standings. With Pete Crow-Armstrong delivering both power and speed, and the pitching matchups presenting intriguing challenges, Chicago looks well-positioned to extend their winning streak. The performances of key players such as Dansby Swanson and the health of Reds’ Austin Hays could further influence the dynamics of these matchups.
This weekend’s games will offer a clear measure of the Cubs’ resilience as they seek to capitalize on Crow-Armstrong’s talent and the team’s overall momentum heading deeper into the season.