Willson Contreras and Nicholas Castellanos strike key human resources representatives

CHICAGO – Ben Zobrist praised Nicholas Castellanos' manner of acquitting himself of his pre-game routine during the practice at batting. The veteran of the public services explained how Castellanos had instilled a different mentality and energy into the clubhouse of a Cub team for October.
As Zobrist spoke with a group

CHICAGO – Ben Zobrist praised how Nicholas Castellanos go on his pre-game routine when practicing batting. The veteran of the public services explained how Castellanos had instilled a different mentality and energy into the clubhouse of a Cub team for October.

While Zobrist was speaking with a group of journalists after the Mariners' 6-1 defeat on Tuesday night, the faint music started to gain volume until the notes and beats began to cover the lyrics. of the veteran. That was Castellanos, carrying a portable hi-fi in the locker room, where the ground player realized that he had disrupted the interview.

• The score of the box

"My bad guys, guys," said Castellanos.

"He's right there," Zobrist said with a smile. "I'm talking about you now."

There has been a lot of talk about what Castellanos has done for the Cubs since the Tigers passed through the trade on the 31st of July deadline. He has undoubtedly been the driving force behind the Chicago lineup. Castellanos was back on Tuesday with a three-run circuit, but that night was not just about the newest cult hero of the North Siders.

No, this evening was about multiple sources of energy that Cubans hope to contribute to fuel a memorable September.

The evening included Zobrist's return to the starting lineup and first place after his nearly four-month break. He saw a pile of land, set off two rallies and set the tone at the top of the order. The night also presented the return of the receiver Willson Contreras, who was activated on the list of injured before the match after an absence of one month. Naturally, he crowned a circuit in his first match.

"That gave me shivers," Contreras said. "It was a special moment for me."

The cherry on top was a mammoth lobster from Kyle Schwarber, which saw its seventh-round stroke soar in the top row of right-hand terraces. The left-field player now leads the Cubs with 33 homers on the season and recorded an OPS of 1,106 for August 1st.

All this happened one day when the Cubs were without Kris Bryant (a late scratch due to a problem in the right knee) and Javier Baez (absent with a stuck left thumb). And he supported a six-run performance by Jon Lester, who dodged the traffic and escaped three traffic jams laden with bases.

"It shows how talented this clubhouse is from the top down," Castellanos said. "If there is a spell, someone else enters."

When Zobrist entered the batter's strike area in the first run – scoring his first game for the Cubs since May 6 due to his absence to take care of a personal matter – the Wrigley crowd Field gave him a standing ovation. He went out quickly, but picked himself up and went back to work, not wanting to do more of the scene than necessary.

"It was hot, it was good," said Zobrist. "But I was trying to train to bat and leave, I have to move on and focus on the team."

The Cubs missed his professional approach at the top. On the season, Chicago came in on Tuesday with a .282 percentage on the base and a 70 wRC + lead. In front of Seattle, Zobrist explained why his manager, Joe Maddon, valued how he forced the throwers to enter the strike zone – a trait that was missing in the Cubs overall.

Zobrist saw six shots in his first match, then seven more during a walk in the third inning, which then led to a sacrificial race at Castellanos. In the fifth, Zobrist ran a simple perfectly placed lock up to the third goal line. Two batters later, Castellanos dug a throw from reliever Wade LeBlanc in the center-right seats for his three-point shot.

"The reviews were good, the focus was excellent," Maddon said about Zobrist. "He was very enthusiastic before the game, it was nice to see that, it's nice to see this asset at the top of the batting order – the patience, the acceptance of the walk, et cetera. "

Contreras has perfectly summarized what Zobrist's return means to the Cubs.

"It's a model, a model to follow," said the receiver of the stars. "For me, he's an example to follow, he's going to help us a lot, just by watching him go through his [routine]as he is professional. He is just amazing. "

Like Zobrist, Contreras is also amazed at the energy that Castellanos brought to the hall and on the ground. Consider that the Cubs posted a slash line of .252 / .325 / .460 in August, but that rates drop to .239 / .317 / .425 if you remove all production of Castellanos' bat statistic.

In discussing Castellanos before the match, Contreras said he was considering "supporting his fire" in the last straight. The catcher is also proud to be a spark plug for the Cubs. And Baez – once he joins the fold – offers much of the same infectious intensity.

In view of what is at stake for the Cubs, Maddon hopes that all this will give more life to an offense that will make or break the aspirations of the team for October.

"We should be full, they are all energetic players," said the manager. "That's what we need." I talked about [how] September provides its own energy. Listen, we are in the race. There is no reason to show up and not feel that way, but these are the guys. "