The Chicago Cubs roster is under intense scrutiny due to the impending MLB trade deadline set for Monday at 5 p.m. Cubs fans eagerly await decisions from president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and his team to enhance the lineup. However, the Cubs’ recent 5-2 triumph over the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field highlighted the importance of unheralded players and strategic moves.

Nico Hoerner initiated the comeback with a game-tying solo home run in the seventh inning. Pete Crow-Armstrong also impressed with a decisive go-ahead triple. Yet, the lesser-known contributions of left-hander David Peterson and infielder Pedro Ramírez, who were not on the Opening Day roster, played crucial roles in securing the win.

“It’s a time of year when we definitely need everybody involved, and having guys like Pedro that are versatile and are playing well is really important,” Hoerner shared after the game.

Following Hoerner’s home run, Ramírez coaxed a two-out, seven-pitch walk, turning the lineup over to Crow-Armstrong. Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised Ramírez’s at-bat, emphasizing its critical impact.

“It’s two outs, nobody on base, you think, ‘Oh, it’s whatever,’” Counsell said, “But it gets Pete up there, who knows what can happen? It’s a big at-bat and ultimately, it’s the difference in the game.”

Crow-Armstrong capitalized on the opportunity, tripling to give the Cubs the lead. He later scored on Seiya Suzuki’s single. The clutch performances emphasize Ramírez’s significance during the Cubs’ intense 17-game stint without a break. The 22-year-old rookie has proven versatile, providing valuable infield support. Since the start of this span, Ramírez has made six starts across five positions.

This versatility allows Counsell to rest key players like Hoerner or Alex Bregman. It also enables Hoerner to contribute with critical performances such as his seventh-inning home run, a feat despite challenging wind conditions at Wrigley Field.

“With the wind blowing straight in, I didn’t know if it would stay fair,” Hoerner remarked. He acknowledged the fortunate conditions that allowed his home run to stand.

While Hoerner and Ramírez starred on offense, Peterson excelled on the mound despite a setback. Spencer Jones hit a 106-mph blast to left field, closing Peterson’s outing on a somewhat disappointing note. However, Peterson’s performance was strong overall. He matched a season-high with eight strikeouts, allowing just one earned run over 6 1/3 innings, showcasing his effective pitch placement and strategy.

Peterson joined the Cubs from the New York Mets on June 25. He has a 4.36 ERA in six starts with the Cubs, although a singular tough outing inflates this figure. His recent performance includes a remarkable 1.52 ERA in his last four starts.

“He was excellent,” Counsell noted. “Getting into the seventh inning is really important for where we’re at right now.”

Peterson and Ramírez have emerged as unexpected yet crucial contributors during the Cubs’ current stretch. The addition of more players, particularly pitchers, looks promising as the Cubs aim to bolster the roster for potential playoff runs.

“The starting-pitch depth seemed abundant early on, but it thinned quickly,” Hoerner explained. “It’s just taken so many bodies, and hopefully we’re able to come out with a better sense of our strengths.”

Andy Martinez reports for the Chicago Tribune.