It was a beneficial break for Pete Crow-Armstrong.
The Cubs’ center fielder has stumbled offensively since the All-Star break following an MVP-caliber first half, coming into Friday batting .163 with a .448 OPS since the start of August.
Team brass opted to implement a strategy used earlier in the year on then-slumping outfielders Kyle Tucker and Ian Happ, leaving Crow-Armstrong out of the starting lineup in two recent games against the Braves.
Save a late defensive substitution, it was nearly three straight days off for Crow-Armstrong.
We’ll see if his slump is truly busted, but the move paid instant dividends, with Crow-Armstrong picking up two hits, driving in a couple runs, scoring a run and stealing a base as part of the Cubs’ all-around offensive success story in an 11-5 win over the Nationals.
“The break was good. It was smart and calculated,” Crow-Armstrong said. “I just came in feeling good, ready to do the same grind I’ve been doing. It’s a good chance to slow down a little bit.
“It was bigger mentally than anything.”
Indeed, that was Craig Counsell’s goal in resting Crow-Armstrong, who spent the first half as baseball’s breakout star, flashing elite power, speed and defense.
But as the calendar has flipped to the back third of baseball’s six-month marathon, the success hasn’t come as easily. A chance to recalibrate might prove the most effective method of reviving Crow-Armstrong as the Cubs eye a deep postseason run.
“In my experience, it’s been helpful for players,” Counsell said. “It’s the mental reset and the break [from] being frustrated by the results. That’s a big lift off guys. Being measured by your results every single day, that’s a real grind that players go through.
“Getting a break from the judgment on that performance every day, it’s easier and it’s helpful and it makes you a little sunnier inside. And that’s the goal, for the player to get back to Square 1 and get back to neutral.”
Tucker’s absence continues
Tucker’s absence from the Cubs’ lineup stretched to a second consecutive game Friday.
The All-Star right fielder wasn’t past the calf tightness that knocked him out of Tuesday’s game against the Braves and sidelined him Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s off day.
Before the game, Counsell said the Cubs were hopeful Tucker could return to the lineup before the end of this weekend’s series against the Nationals, adding then that there was no reason for Tucker to head to the injured list.
Counsell’s postgame update on Tucker’s pregame workouts, however, did not paint a cheery picture.
“It wasn’t as positive as we had hoped, frankly,” Counsell said. “He didn’t really make progress with the day off. He’s kind of in the same spot he was on Wednesday.
“Frankly, [Saturday is] going to be a big day to see where he’s at. Unfortunate, but it’s where we’re at.”
Time for Taillon?
It sounds like righty starter Jameson Taillon will make his return to the Cubs’ rotation sometime next week.
Taillon, working back from a strained groin, allowed three runs on six hits and a walk in 3 2/3 innings during Thursday’s rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa.
“He felt good,” Counsell said. “It’s likely that [Taillon] rejoins us, but let’s get through this weekend and make sure we’re in good shape, pitching-wise.”
