CHICAGO -- Cubs manager Craig Counsell was asked prior to Saturday’s game about an aspect of his aggressive mid-game decisions involving pinch-hitters. At times, it has been to replace rookie Moisés Ballesteros, a gifted hitter still developing at the Major League level.
“This is a team,” Counsell said. “This is a team that we’re trying to win games with, and we’re going to go with the best matchups.”
It played out again in the sixth inning, when the Mets summoned lefty Brooks Raley from the bullpen in a key moment with the lefty-swinging Ballesteros set to hit. Counsell turned to veteran catcher Carson Kelly, who answered the call with a first-pitch, three-run home run that swung the game Chicago’s way en route to a 4-2 victory at Wrigley Field.
Kelly’s blast was the Cubs’ first pinch-hit blast of the season and the catcher’s first pinch-hit homer since Aug. 25, 2021, with the D-backs. This time around, the 31-year-old Kelly got a cutter from Raley that broke down and in, and the catcher did not miss. The ball cut through a strong wind and crashed halfway up the bleachers.
“Just looking for a good pitch to drive,” Kelly said. “It was cool. The guys had really good at-bats before me. Just being able to get that opportunity is really special.”
This two-out shot came after Mets righty Freddy Peralta issued back-to-back walks with two outs to Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki with the game caught in a 1-1 deadlock. It also propelled the Cubs to a fourth win in a row, while extending the Mets’ losing skid to 10 games.
On Friday, Counsell called Matt Shaw off the bench in the fifth inning, when Mets lefty Sean Manaea took over with Ballesteros due to bat and Chicago holding a 7-3 lead. The manager opted for Shaw in that situation due to it being a leadoff at-bat and the probability of Manaea going multiple innings.
Kelly, who started Friday’s game at catcher, was Counsell’s choice on Saturday due to the importance of that particular at-bat. The manager also pointed to the fact that Kelly -- now hitting .340 with a .970 OPS in 17 games -- has been swinging a hot bat out of the gates.
“He’s just been really locked in,” Counsell said.
“Heck of a job managing there,” quipped Happ, who had a game-tying homer in the second inning. “A pinch-hit, three-run homer. That’s a good day for the manager.”
The 22-year-old Ballesteros went 1-for-2 earlier in the game against Peralta, giving the young designated hitter a .381 average to go with a 1.032 OPS through 17 games played on the year. Still, one thing Counsell likes about his bench corps right now is the quality of the options available.
Depending on who starts behind the plate, one of Miguel Amaya or Kelly -- both solid offensive catchers -- is available as a right-handed option. The Cubs also have Shaw, who hits from the right side, as well, and offers depth all over the infield and outfield. Veteran outfielder Michael Conforto (lefty) and utility man Scott Kingery (righty) round out the reserves.
While Kingery has been used extremely sparingly, Counsell said his presence as an extra infielder behind Shaw aids the manager’s ability to be aggressive with his mid-game matchup decision-making.
“I like how we’re constructed right now,” said the manager. “It seems like Kingery doesn’t have a role, but he’s actually providing this backup role that lets us use the other players more freely. … I think we have a pretty offensive bench right now for most games.”
While the sample is still small at this time of year, the Cubs have hit .300/.391/.500 through 20 pinch-hit at-bats this season. That includes Kelly’s homer, plus a double, three walks and five RBIs from the group overall. Last season, Chicago’s pinch-hitters combined for a .200 average and a .659 OPS.
Happ said it helps that younger players like Ballesteros and Shaw understand the situation and are bought in.
“For both Moisés, for Matty Shaw,” Happ said, “to understand that there’s going to be times where the pinch-hitter is going to come in, or there’s times where you’re going to be the pinch-hitter … learning and preparing for those moments, they’ve done a great job. And to have some veterans on the bench to help those guys is huge.”
Kelly was certainly ready for Counsell to call his name.
“He’s putting us in positions to have success,” Kelly said. “This group, we’re always prepared. We’re always looking for that opportunity. Just as a group, we’re pulling for each other at all moments. And special moments like today can happen.”