(670 The Score) The Cubs' recent five-game winning streak was marked by them having offensive success and manufacturing runs without the home run ball.
In those five wins from last Tuesday through Saturday, the Cubs scored a combined 23 runs, with only five coming from the home run ball. That marked a 21.7% rate of runs scored by the home run during that stretch compared with their 40.8% rate for the season. All of the Cubs' runs in a 6-5 loss to the Pirates on Sunday also came without the home run ball.
Veteran infielder Matt Duffy has been a key in the Cubs' ability to manufacture runs. He had a game-tying RBI single in the 11th inning of an eventual victory against the Dodgers last Wednesday and had the go-ahead RBI single in a 3-2 win against the Pirates on Saturday.
Duffy is hitting .288 with a .733 OPS this season, and he's been better in big situations. He's hitting .385 with runners in scoring position and .429 with runners in scoring position and two outs. Duffy is also hitting .444 in high-leverage situations, according to Baseball Reference.
"He has been huge for us," Ross said of Duffy. "I don't know what more to say about him. Whether it's when he starts or comes off the bench, consistent at-bats against righties or lefties. His contact has been big and his defense has been great. The baserunning has been phenomenal."
Duffy's big hit Saturday was preceded by Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward singling and stealing second base. The Cubs are tied for second in MLB with 26 stolen bases.
"The versatility of our team is huge," Heyward said. "That is especially true coming from a 60-game season until now trying to keep everyone healthy. It is huge when you can take what the game gives you and get those little knocks to win a game."
The Cubs' ability to utilize small ball when needed has helped them go 8-4 in one-run games.
"There is definitely an emphasis on finding a way to create runs," Cubs manager Ross said. "On the bases is one way, trying to take some risks where you can feel it can pay off. You have guys paying attention while taking an extra base, reading the ball off of the bat really well and figuring out where the outfield is playing. This approach is something the guys have put a lot of time in the last few years, and it's paying off."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
