In each of his first 2 years, Busch has had roughly 88 ABs vs LHP. His splits vs LHP last year were actually better than this year, but that's still a "small" sample size to write him off as a bad hitter vs LHP. He likely won't have good splits, like many LH batters vs lefties do, but he's becoming that type of player you should never pinch hit for. Him going yard 4 times in the postseason, 1 being off a lefty yesterday, should mean he's getting every AB going forward. He's quietly becoming the Cubs best hitter and we should start treating him as such. We don't need to waste a roster spot just so 1 guy can hit lefties for him.
17 comments
Couldn’t agree more. Hes my favorite player and I want him to fall in line as the next first baseman after rizzo and D Lee
This is common sense but Craig loves to dive into analysis paralysis
He isn’t quietly doing it. Busch has been our best hitter for most of the season.
Even council can’t fuck this up….. at least anymore this year !!!!
LEAVE BUSCH THE FUCK ALONE…. HE BATS LEAD OFF 1000% OF THE FUCKING TIME!!!! PERIOD!!
He played in 155 games and had nearly 600 PAs hes not even really platoonimg. Hes playing as much as someone can and during his time as a big leaguer hes been ass against lefties. Its ok to give guys games off if the matchup isnt advantageous.
Let’s pump those brakes. I think next year they will get him more ABs but we do need some roster flexibility in the event he is still bad at it. That 81 wRC+ this year was not ‘give him more opportunities’ good. Part of why he was our best hitter is because he was protected. It doesn’t need to be a strict platoon, but if he had a full season vs Lefties he would not have had as high a wRC+.
Edit: It took Rizzo 4 years to stop being awful vs left handers. Busch is entering year 3 next year, if you exclude his Dodgers cup of coffee. It’ll probably be a few more years before he is let loose unless he really shows a changed approach vs LHP in spring
that’s kinda what they’re doing right now
Such a great pick up by Jed. Of what I remember the Dodgers didn’t even play him
I’m sorry, I’m still taking Kyle Tucker on one leg over Busch as far as claiming he’s the best hitter on the Cubs, and that’s no slight to Busch
Turner is more so a morale veteran who can provide some wisdom other than that he shouldn’t be on the starting lineup
Totally agree.
Busch is the man!!!! All season seems to have been Tucker talk, but Busch BALLS! Sign him forever!
I don’t understand how you don’t let a second year guy figure out how to hit lefties by not letting him face lefties.
Maybe platooning helps him.
To be fair. Turner did get a hit
Please!
He has a .500 OPS against lefties this year.
Turner has a .750. There is no reason not to start Turner against a lefty.