On Monday night, Kevin Gausman demonstrated a strategic change in his pitching approach against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Chicago Cubs right-hander predominantly used his four-seam fastballs, surprising the Diamondbacks who were seemingly prepared for his signature splitter. Gausman typically relies more on his splitter, yet in this game, 66% of his pitches were fastballs. This decision resulted in a career-high 24 called strikes and helped him achieve seven shutout innings in the Cubs’ 7-0 win. Remarkably, it was only the fourth instance this season the Cubs had a starter complete seven innings without conceding a run.
Gausman kept specifics about how the Cubs anticipated Arizona’s strategy close to the chest. “I’m not gonna give that away just because other people are watching too,” he mentioned, smiling. Yet, he acknowledged that they figured out Arizona’s game plan early on. Catcher Carson Kelly played a crucial role by calling “a hell of a game” and recognizing moments when the Diamondbacks’ hitters anticipated the splitter. “We blew some fastballs with two strikes kind of by guys today,” Gausman stated, highlighting the effectiveness of the strategy. His command over the fastball allowed him to utilize it effectively, with 13 out of 15 first-pitch fastballs resulting in strikes. Arizona managed to put 11 fastballs in play but only two resulted in hits.
In the Statcast era since 2015, only Drew Hutchinson has registered more called strikes on four-seam fastballs in a game than Gausman did. He credited his success to consistent practice during bullpens. “I’m a two-pitch guy so that secondary pitch, I’m gonna throw it a lot,” Gausman explained. Recognizing the Diamondbacks’ approach and attacking with confidence was key. His performance aligned with what the Cubs envisioned after acquiring him. With support from Clay Holmes, the Cubs aim to utilize this formidable duo in the stretch run and postseason.
Michael Conforto’s adaptability throughout the season has also been pivotal for the Cubs. Set in a role different from his usual presence, his approach helped set the tone. On Monday, the Cubs’ top five hitters were not at their best, combining for a 2-for-18 showing with three strikeouts. However, rookies and seasoned players alike stepped up. Pedro Ramírez gave the Cubs an early lead with an RBI triple, part of a two-hit night boosting his season average to .290. Seiya Suzuki added an RBI double, while Conforto and Carson Kelly hit consecutive home runs in the sixth, building a solid lead.
The Cubs showed depth in their roster. Contributions from players like Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner further augmented the Cubs’ offensive push. Manager Craig Counsell emphasized the significance of team-wide buy-in for success. Recent game outcomes reflect players’ shared commitment to clinching a playoff spot and making an impactful postseason run.
Conforto expressed his motivation post-game, stating, “The big thing is coming in here and being honest at this point in my career, I just want to win games, and I think it was a great fit.” His focused mentality resonated within the team, fostering an environment where winning and being part of something special take priority. “There’s no doubt we believe we can win the whole thing,” Conforto added—a sentiment echoing through the squad as they advance towards the postseason.