The Chicago Cubs have a month to clinch the National League Central Division for the second straight year. Their Team may not be as good as it was last season, but there have been some unsung heroes of the team. After winning their fifth straight game, some of those players showed off their worth.
John Lackey
Once upon a time, Lackey was getting calls to get cut from the team. Now, he could challenge Kyle Hendricks as the team's fourth starter in the playoffs. The Cubs are 9-1 in Lackey's last ten starts. In his last five starts, Lackey is 3-0 with a 2.48 Earned Run Average.
He picked up his 11th win which was how many wins he had in all of 2016. Lackey has been durable as well by going at least six innings.
Lackey will likely make the postseason roster based on his postseason experience. He is a proven winner and could pitch out of the bullpen if he agrees. However, if he keeps posting outstanding numbers, he could take a starter's role based on the matchup. All in all, he has been fantastic since his return from the disabled list.
Mike Montgomery
The deal to send Dan Vogelbach for Montgomery was a steal for the Cubs. Vogelbach was never going to play for the Cubs as long as Anthony Rizzo has a uniform. Montgomery has a 3.29 earned run average with a 5-6 record as he has gone back and forth between the bullpen and a starter's role.
Montgomery is going to be critical for the Cubs success if the team makes the postseason as well.
Javy Baez
How can you neglect a guy that has stolen home base two games in a row? Baez is hands down the most entertaining player in the majors right now. Baez has a .271 batting average with 20 home runs and 64 runs batted in. Plus, his defense is outstanding.
The real value has been the fact that Baez has slid in nicely at shortstop for the injured Addison Russell. With the news that Russell is going to miss more time with a setback, having Baez play well is huge for the team.
Ian Happ
Happ mashed his 20th home run of the season recently and just seems to be driving in runs left and right.
He helped the team in August by hitting seven home runs and drove in 17 runs. Happ is just 23 years old and shows emotion while he plays. When Happ has a big moment, you can see the emotion flow from him as he yells as teammates and makes gestures. With Wilson Contreras out, the Cubs have benefited from having an emotional leader. Rizzo and Lackey are still around, so the team still has some fire in the clubhouse, but having the young man show, it shows how much winning means to him. You could say that Happ is starting to make things "happen."
