David Peterson’s high ground-ball rate made him an appealing acquisition for the Chicago Cubs, especially given their struggles with home runs this season. His 51.1% ground-ball percentage ranks eighth in MLB. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer noted the necessity of a pitcher who delivers strikes and utilizes the Cubs’ strong ground-ball defense.
Peterson’s Cubs debut against the Milwaukee Brewers started with a challenge, as his first pitch resulted in a home run. Nevertheless, he quickly regained control, allowing two more runs over 5 2/3 innings, contributing to the Cubs’ 8-2 triumph.
Manager Craig Counsell praised Peterson’s professionalism and resilience. Despite an initial setback, Peterson delivered consistent strikes and maintained composure. He permitted five hits, struck out two, and did not walk a batter, demonstrating his capability to thrive under pressure.
“I’m happy for David, not an easy thing to do,” Counsell said. “They were aggressive, but he threw a ton of strikes.”
The Cubs’ defense played a critical role, particularly in the fifth inning after Sal Frelick’s RBI single leveled the game. A skillful double play initiated by Nico Hoerner and completed by Dansby Swanson highlighted the solid defensive support Peterson lacked during his time with the New York Mets.
The swift trade left little time for Peterson and catcher Carson Kelly to develop their strategy. Despite this, Kelly’s game calling proved effective, emphasizing Peterson’s trusted pitches to regain momentum. Counsell emphasized the importance of the pitcher’s confidence in executing pitch choices to succeed under such conditions.
The Cubs’ offense, led by key home runs from Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ, further bolstered the team. Suzuki erased the initial deficit with a two-run homer, while Happ extended the lead with a three-run shot. Their performances contributed to ending a losing streak against the Brewers.
With the Cubs planning a bullpen game for the series finale, featuring Ryan Rolison, their recent injury challenges have been offset by strong offensive contributions, ensuring continued success on the field.
“The offense has done a great job over the last week,” Happ said. “We’re confident the guys that we have in the bullpen and the starting rotation.”
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