Pete Crow-Armstrong experienced a challenging start to his season as the Chicago Cubs wrapped up their first West Coast trip of the year at Petco Park in late April. With only one home run in 119 plate appearances across 29 games, frustrations were apparent when he tossed his batting gloves at a garbage can during practice. However, this marked the beginning of a dramatic turnaround that transformed his season into an MVP-worthy performance.
On April 28, Crow-Armstrong delivered a crucial three-run home run against Padres pitcher Wandy Peralta, followed by a two-run homer against Matt Waldron the following night. These performances signaled the start of his resurgence. Over the remaining weeks, Crow-Armstrong achieved a noteworthy .288/.386/.624 slash line and a 1.009 OPS.
Crow-Armstrong reflected on his performance: “It could have been easy to let the year get away from me, but day in and day out I think there was just a regular reminder that it’s a long season.” He emphasized the importance of the long season, noting that despite early struggles, the length of the baseball season offered ample opportunities to improve.
The Cubs’ Playoff Journey
The Cubs faced the Padres in a road rematch in the wild-card series, unable to host it at Wrigley Field. With Matthew Boyd trusted to lead Game 1, the team aims to improve upon their final week of regular-season performance in poor weather conditions, with Crow-Armstrong at the forefront of the lineup.
In the previous postseason, Crow-Armstrong struggled with a 5-for-27 record and no extra-base hits over eight playoff games. This year, he approaches the playoffs with fresh expectations, aiming to contribute significantly to the team’s success.
“I think I’ve got some more to prove and I’ve got some more production to give this club, but it’s a new year,” Crow-Armstrong mentioned. He appreciates the experience he gained last year, focusing on performing at a high level.
Padres’ Insights
Padres third baseman Manny Machado recognizes Crow-Armstrong’s talents, expressing admiration for his remarkable season. Machado, with his own impressive career, praised Crow-Armstrong’s MVP-caliber performance, highlighting the potential seen over the past couple of years.
Pitching strategies by the Padres’ Game 1 starter, Michael King, center on preventing Crow-Armstrong from setting the tone early by keeping him off the bases. Crow-Armstrong’s previous playoff average of .216 serves as a stark contrast to this year’s expectations.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell reflected on Crow-Armstrong’s growth: “Let’s be honest, I mean, he’d tell you that he was a bad hitter at times last year.” Counsell valued Crow-Armstrong’s talent, which transcended typical expectations and delivered thrilling performance on various fronts.
Ultimately, Crow-Armstrong’s commitment catalyzed the Cubs’ offensive prowess, leading to a decisive playoff opportunity. He emphasizes balancing appreciation for the significance of the playoffs with a focus on steady performance.
“Anything can happen,” Crow-Armstrong remarked. He anticipates competing against strong teams and strives to start the playoffs positively.