LOS ANGELES – Cubs rookie Michael Busch sped toward second base, uncertain where exactly his opposite-field line drive had landed.
It had, in fact, cleared the short fence in the left-field corner, flown between a fan’s hands, hit him in the chest, and bounced back onto the field. It was the second Cubs homer of the game, both hit by former Dodgers, and one of four hits from Busch to help power the Cubs to a 10-4 victory.
“It’s always a weird feeling,” said Cody Bellinger, who hit a two-run homer as part of a three-RBI day Monday. “[Busch] knows a lot of the guys on the other side as well. And it just shows how good he is. He can kind of lock it in when there’s extra things going on.”
Busch and Bellinger landed with the Cubs at different points in their careers. Bellinger had just been non-tendered by the Dodgers after the 2022 season, sending him into free agency early. And Busch was an exciting prospect, blocked by the Dodgers’ more veteran infield, when the Cubs traded for him this past winter.
Both found in Chicago a place they could chase their potential, and take turns lifting the Cubs offense.
Bellinger was the Cubs’ best hitter last year, as he put together his best season since winning the MVP in 2019. He wasn’t expected to replicate his 2024 season this year. But his slug has noticeably fallen from .525 to .427.
“I still think he’s had a really nice season,” manager Craig Counsell said before the game. “His defensive versatility is super valuable. And he’s had some big swings and performances, for sure.”
Bellinger also was sidelined by fractured ribs and a fractured finger, but he returned from both IL stints before the three-week mark.
“In both cases, quicker than I envisioned,” Counsell said.
Bellinger’s home run Monday served as an example of the kind of power contained in his bat. He jumped on a first-pitch fastball to send a no-doubter into the right-field stands. He also made a diving catch in the ninth inning on a screaming line drive that had a .910 expected batting average, according to Baseball Savant.
“He’s the man,” Busch said in a conversation with the Sun-Times. “… Great player, plays hard, but also just a great dude in the clubhouse, somebody that you can talk to really about anything.”
Busch, though he entered the game in a bit of a slump, has carried the team offensively at times this year.
“Thus far, very pleased with Michael’s year,” Counsell said. “I think the most important part is what he’s become as a defender at first base. He’s become a plus-defender at first base, and that development is a huge part of his season.”
Though Busch debuted with the Dodgers as a utility infielder last year, he only had 81 plate attempts. He’s now logged as many home runs at Dodger Stadium as a visitor as he did when he called the ballpark home.
“I took away a lot of things,” Busch said of his time with the organization. “When it comes to baseball, a ton of stuff offensively, defensively, base running, what it takes to win.
“Off the field, it’s kind of the same thing. You play with a lot of guys who obviously are really good at baseball, but there’s also a lot of good people that you come across.”
So, when the Cubs acquired Busch with regular playing time at first base in mind, he was ready to prove he could handle the significantly bigger role.
“Intent every day,” Busch said when asked what he was most proud of this year. “… Obviously ups and downs and all that stuff, but I feel like I showed up and had a purpose to win each day and try to keep that going.”
Busch intrigued the Cubs because he fit into their long term plans. Bellinger, however, has an opt-out in his contract and a decision to make at the end of the season. First, they have a mutual goal, with the Cubs’ playoff changes seriously dwindling but still alive thanks to a message-sending victory.
“We know it’s a short stretch here,” said Kyle Hendricks, who held a staunch Dodgers lineup to two runs through 4 ⅓ innings Monday. “So just giving it everything we got. We know if we play to our potential, like today, all-around good team game, anything can happen. So, just trying to put that together every single day right now.”