CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- One of the bigger moments for the Chicago Cubs to date in their young season came in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. Trailing 6-2, the Cubs had the bases loaded with two outs and were in need of a pinch-hitter with reliever Brandon Kintzler due up.
In the important moment, manager Joe Maddon called on reserve outfielder Mark Zagunis to pinch-hit instead of third baseman Kris Bryant, who was out of the starting lineup.
The end result was good, with Zagunis delivering a two-run single. The reasoning behind it was also telling. With a former MVP and one of the better power hitters in the game available on the bench in Bryant, Maddon instead took a pass in favor of a rookie who had 43 career plate appearances at the time.
"I wanted to use Zagunis," Maddon said after the eventual 6-5 loss. "Zagunis has done this before and had some really good pinch-hit at-bats. This is something that KB is not used to. If you do not pinch-hit (regularly), it's really different. So he is an everyday player. When you ask him to hit the bench, shake hands and have an at-bat, it is not that easy. Zagunis has done it before and (Albert) Almora (who was used as a pinch-hitter in the sixth) would have been a candidate, too. Guys who have done it before, it is a little bit easier than guys who have not done it."
Bryant has been struggling in hitting .231 with a .699 OPS and one homer in 13 games. He had been granted his scheduled day off by Maddon earlier in the week. In the aftermath, the question was whether Maddon's decision was to protect Bryant's psyche or if he truly used the pinch-hitter he thought had the best chance of helping the Cubs win.
Perhaps the answer was a bit of both. Bryant's swing and balance at the plate are both out of whack. The uppercut motion of his bat plane and tendency to be late on the ball is reminiscent of the struggles he had in an injury-plagued 2018. The Cubs maintain those health struggles -- particularly a shoulder ailment -- are behind Bryant, but he hasn't looked like himself. Bryant also struggled in Cactus League play, hitting .200 with only three extra-base hits.
Many players on the Cubs are off to slow starts, so Bryant isn't alone. Still, there have been other odd moments, such as when Bryant tried to bunt with a man on base Friday. It was out of character.
Maddon knows his players better than anyone observing the team. If he felt an entire day off was beneficial for Bryant and the club, he probably knows best. Zagunis did his job well and so did Maddon in identifying the right man for the job at the time.
But other big moments will come soon, and the Cubs will need Bryant to step up in them. His return to form is essential if they're to reach their goals in 2019.
By Bruce Levine
