Although the team committed three errors in the game last night, and also scored 13 runs, obviating the need for killer defense, I do want to spotlight some very nice plays last night. Can’t let the offense get all the attention.
Javy Baez, a shortstop, has continued to play very well in his new permanent role, and he makes these extremely-deep-in-the-hole plays so often and so easily that you can forget how hard it is to pull off, and how other Cubs shortstop options would not be able to do the one on the left:
Stellar back-to-back plays for Cubs rover Javy Baez in the 5th. Throws out Wainright from the left-field grass. Then, playing in a shift, gets Carpenter on a tough play in right field. pic.twitter.com/IV5kFDhk2D
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) May 6, 2019
Ben Zobrist was out in left field last night, and despite the fact that he’s set to turn 38 later this month, he was flashing the leather like a much younger man:
Two knocks, an RBI and some 💯 defense from @benzobrist18 tonight!#EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/1kOViLjOxD
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 6, 2019
Bonus: Matt Carpenter sure does like getting tagged in the face by the Cubs, eh? That was yet another to add to the pile:
It's not a #Cubs Cardinals series unless Matt Carpenter gets thrown on the bases. #EverybodyIn @BleacherNation @realcubsinsider @Beanz_TD @WContreras40 @D_Ross3 pic.twitter.com/jNFsEKVGip
— MBDChicago (@MBDChicago) May 5, 2019
Last thing to spotlight is Willson Contreras, doing Willson Contreras things, nailing Paul Goldschmidt with a perfect throw FROM HIS KNEES:
That was just perfectly done.