(670 The Score) The Cubs are putting together an impressive stretch run, and it's thanks in large part to all the experience on the roster.
In the mind of outfielder Ian Happ, veteran catcher Yan Gomes has been among those whose presence has been a boon for the Cubs.
In his second season with the Cubs, the 36-year-old Gomes has been getting the majority of starts behind the plate this season. He has brought a wealth of experience that has helped the pitching staff, and his bat has been a key part of the lineup. Gomes is hitting .270 with a .744 OPS in 80 games in 2023 as a catcher and designated hitter.
Like center fielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger and shortstop Dansby Swanson, Gomes has plenty of quality playoff experience to his name. Gomes was on the 2019 Nationals team that won a World Series, and he was also on the 2016 Cleveland squad that fell to the Cubs in the Fall Classic.
He brought his insight to Chicago, something that has been a huge lift for the Cubs, Happ told the Bernstein & Holmes Show.
“He’s been fantastic," Happ said. "He’s been unbelievable from an offensive side in the catching position, he has a ton of clutch hits for us, a ton of huge RBIs late in games. But he has such a wealth of experience from his time in Cleveland and those groups and their playoff pushes year after year. And then from his experience in D.C. with that team that made that run, catching a bunch of really solid pitching staffs both in Cleveland and in D.C.
“He brings a stability to our rotation, to our bullpen, to talking through all of those situations with those guys, pitch-calling, he’s done a fantastic job. That really, not only does it help us offensively in our lineup but also throughout the entire pitching staff to be able to talk through the game plan and that type of stuff.
“He’s been a huge piece for us, obviously a ton of experience and a really great player.”
You can listen to Happ's full interview in the audio player atop this page.
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