Chicago Cubs Defence Shines in Victory Over Braves
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman made a crucial play as reliever Ryan Rolison threw a pitch. Bregman, a 2024 Gold Glove Award winner, positioned himself to charge to his left. He fielded Ozzie Albies’ 66.2 mph groundball and began a double play by throwing to Pedro Ramírez at second base. Ramírez then threw to first, helping the Cubs escape an eighth-inning jam.
This play prevented the Atlanta Braves from scoring, leading to a 7-3 win for the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday. The Cubs, now holding an 84-67 record, have a half-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies for the top National League wild-card spot.
The double play demonstrated the reliable defense Bregman brings to the team. The Cubs are ranked first in the majors in Defensive Runs Saved, Outs Above Average, and Fielding Run Value. Cubs manager Craig Counsell emphasized the importance of their defense, stating, “For us to have the big success, we have to be good at it. To be a good team, you got to be good at something, right?”
In addition to their defense, the Cubs’ offense was led by National League MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong. He went 4-for-5 with a home run, one stolen base, and four RBIs. His 42nd home run of the season in the sixth inning tied Billy Williams’ 1970 record for the most home runs hit by a left-handed hitter in a single season in franchise history. “If that homer’s going to mean anything, I’m glad I could hit that one for Billy,” Crow-Armstrong said, acknowledging his connection to Williams.
Bregman’s success this season didn’t come easily. He began the season with a fielding run value of minus-one through the first seven games. Major league coach Jonathan Mota and the Cubs coaching and analytics staff worked to unlock his 2024 Gold Glove form. They discovered his positioning was key. “His positioning at third base, where he played last year in 2025 with Boston, was different,” Mota explained. The Red Sox had him positioned closer to the plate, impacting his performance.
Mota and Bregman adjusted his setup, moving him back and closer to the foul line, allowing Bregman to attack ground balls effectively. Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised Bregman’s adjustments, emphasizing his skill going to his glove side. These changes also allowed shortstop Dansby Swanson to position himself closer to second base.
Mota and Bregman also focused on fine-tuning his mechanics. Bregman began incorporating more long toss to improve arm strength. “Read the ball better, react better,” Bregman stated about the adjustments. Statistically, he returned to his 2024 form, ranking second among third basemen in Outs Above Average and third in Fielding Run Value, behind San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado.
“It makes a difference,” Bregman remarked, acknowledging the work of the Cubs’ advance team and Mota in positioning the players effectively. Andy Martinez is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.