It’s been a very rough season for Chicago Cubs shortstop Javy Baez, who was terrific in 2018 and 2019. Baez entered play on Friday with the second-worst OPS (.579) among qualified MLB hitters, but maybe “El Mago” needed to just get back to having fun again (which surely has been difficult in a pandemic and with empty stadiums).
With the Cubs blowing out the White Sox 10-0 on Friday night, the White Sox brought in position player Yolmer Sanchez to pitch in the top of the ninth inning. Well, Baez decided to bat left-handed, and crushed a 101.7 mph double into the right-center field gap.
Baez also batted left-handed in a blowout last season against a position player, but flew out to center field.
While Baez is a right-handed hitter and thrower, he actually does most things left-handed. He even credits that for why he’s so incredible at making tags, as he told the Chicago Tribune in 2016:
“Because I’m a lefty,” the Cubs infielder said. “I write lefty, I eat lefty, I even can hit lefty. With that on my glove side, I have really quick hands. I let the ball travel, and as soon as I catch it, my hand goes down to the tag.”
And he frequently cranks dingers batting left-handed in batting practice.
Oh, and earlier in Friday night’s game, Baez crushed a home run from the right side.
The Cubs have already clinched a playoff spot, and have a Magic Number of one to win the NL Central division title. If Baez can get to playing like his usual self, that would be a massive boost to the Cubs’ chances to make a run in the postseason.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.