In Phoenix on Monday night, Kevin Gausman took a strategic approach against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Chicago Cubs right-hander primarily used four-seam fastballs, which seemed to surprise the Diamondbacks. Typically, Gausman relies heavily on his splitter. This time, however, his fastball made up 66% of his pitches, resulting in a career-high 24 called strikes on that pitch. This strategy helped Gausman complete seven scoreless innings, contributing to the Cubs’ 7-0 win, marking the fourth occasion this year when a Cubs’ starter lasted seven innings without giving up a run.
Gausman kept secret when the Cubs identified the Diamondbacks’ focus on his splitter. “I’m not gonna give that away just because other people are watching too,” Gausman said with a smile. He credited catcher Carson Kelly for excellent game-calling, recognizing that with two strikes, Arizona’s batters might expect the splitter. “We threw some fastballs past them with two strikes today,” Gausman stated. “When you have good enough command to frequently throw a pitch you can rely on early, it helps.” His ability to control the fastball was essential. Gausman threw 13 of his 15 first-pitch fastballs for strikes. Despite Arizona putting 11 fastballs in play, only two resulted in hits.
In the Statcast era, only Drew Hutchinson in 2015 has achieved more called strikes on a four-seam fastball than Gausman did on Monday. He attributes his command improvement to consistent bullpen practice between starts. “I’m a two-pitch guy, so that secondary pitch, I’m gonna throw it a lot,” Gausman explained. “Recognizing their game plan and staying aggressive, it’s one thing, but making those pitches requires command, which clicked last night.” Gausman’s performance aligned with the Cubs’ expectations when trading for him. Combining him with Clay Holmes, who allowed only one run over his last 12 innings, the Cubs now have a potential strong duo for the season’s home stretch and playoffs. This becomes crucial as left-handers Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga have shown recent inconsistency.
“He’s a good energy guy, always ready to pitch, and the team can take a cue from his resilience,” Kelly commented about Gausman. In the previous October, Gausman showcased his potential with Toronto as they made a World Series appearance, also experiencing the relentless Cubs lineup and their capability to score runs. June 19 had seen them score seven runs against him.
On Monday, the top five Cubs hitters struggled but the team’s depth provided support, applying pressure on Diamondbacks’ starter Merrill Kelly and the bullpen. Rookie Pedro Ramírez’s performance stood out with an RBI triple and another hit, boosting his average to .290. Seiya Suzuki’s RBI double added a run in the fifth, with Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly hitting consecutive homers for a comfortable lead. Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner extended the lead in subsequent innings. The Cubs capitalized on Diamondbacks’ pitching errors, supporting their goal for postseason success. Manager Craig Counsell highlights Michael Conforto’s adaptability as instrumental for team cohesion early on.
Contributions from the entire roster are crucial for the Cubs as they pursue playoff success. “It feels like I joined the party,” Conforto expressed after a three-hit game. Being part of something special is more significant than money or playing time, he added. The team’s expectation and belief in their potential to win are evident as they aim for a deep postseason run.
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