![\"Cubs](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CTC-L-cubs-phillies-0420-16.jpg\")
Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson hits a three-run home run during the second inning against the Phillies at Wrigley Field on April 20, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n
Right-hander Colin Rea handled the Phillies, tossing 6 2\/3 innings while surrendering just one run on six hits. Justin Crawford\u2019s double in the fourth landed just beyond Pete Crow-Armstrong\u2019s diving catch attempt on a 76-foot sprint to left-center field, producing Philadelphia\u2019s lone run. Rea retired nine of the next 11 Phillies batters, allowing just two baserunners on singles.<\/p>\n
Stellar defense aided Rea and the bullpen. Ian Happ stole a foul ball from Kyle Schwarber on a catch into the seats down the left-field line. Michael Busch snagged a rocket to toss to Rea to end an inning. Nico Hoerner\u2019s<\/a> diving play to his left swiped a hit on a ripped Schwarber one-hopper. Matt Shaw\u2019s diving catch in right field in the ninth prevented Trea Turner from driving in a run.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one play Nico made that, the play Matt Shaw made, the play Ian made, I mean, those are just spectacular plays and just that alone right there, like, that\u2019s enough, that\u2019s a game-changer right there,\u201d Counsell said. \u201cIt\u2019s part of run prevention. It makes your pitchers better. And it\u2019s a reason why for the good defensive teams, I think it shows up every night.\u201d<\/p>\n Swanson, in the past, would default to mechanical cues \u2014 how his front elbow was in line, making sure his leg kick was in the right direction \u2014 but he\u2019s worked with Kelly to strip everything down. Just focus on setting up in the batter\u2019s box and maintaining good posture.<\/p>\n \u201cThe more that we can keep it athletic and more of a rhythm and a timing and less about a mechanical move that he has to make, I think that\u2019s just going to free him up to be a little bit more dynamic in the box,\u201d Kelly told the Tribune. \u201cBefore it was more about OK, when he breaks his hands, the barrel needs to be at the top and then my front knee needs to be here, and so we\u2019ve just tried to strip all of that away and looking at more timing and how are you moving.\u201d<\/p>\n Centering his attention on his stance and posture helps Swanson focus on the things he can control in the box. He believes that can create the type of presence he wants to have at the plate, regardless of where he might be hitting in the Cubs\u2019 lineup.<\/p>\n